This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/jul/06/coronavirus-live-news-india-sees-record-new-cases-as-texas-warns-of-overwhelmed-hospitals

The article has changed 43 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 19 Version 20
Coronavirus live news: India cases third-highest globally as Australian state of Victoria closes border Coronavirus live news: India cases third-highest globally as Australian state of Victoria closes border
(32 minutes later)
India overtakes Russia with third-highest number of cases; Peru cases pass 300,000; Iran sees highest daily deaths; Spain puts part of Galicia back into lockdown India overtakes Russia with third-highest number of cases; Peru cases pass 300,000; Iran sees highest daily deaths
Wearing masks on public transport has become mandatory across Switzerland from today, a u-turn from the Alpine country in the face of a rising number of new infections, writes Philip Oltermann, the Guardian’s Berlin bureau chief. Crowds of drinkers who gathered in city centre streets over the weekend have prompted an outcry in Ireland, with doctors, publicans and politicians warning of dire consequences, writes Rory Carroll in Dublin.
Until this week, Swiss officials had merely advised commuters to wear face mask on public transport during rush-hour. Revellers clustered in the centres of Cork and Dublin in scenes not seen since before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Maitiú Ó Tuathail, former president of the National Association of General Practitioners, told RTE he had finished working at the ambulance service and was driving through central Dublin at 10pm on Saturday when he encountered “anxiety inducing” scenes.
“After last night I really think we’re weeks away from a second wave and my colleagues on the front line are just not ready for it psychologically.” It felt like an All Ireland football final night – and that Dublin had won, he said. “There were guards everywhere and they were doing their best but it was just completely rammed.”
The Licensed Vintners Association said the lack of social distancing jeopardised public health. “Unfortunately scenes like this have been taking place over the last few weekends in Dublin city centre.”
The street drinkers brought their own booze or bought from pubs operating take-out services. Restaurants and pubs started reopening last Monday with restrictions.
Simon Harris, the former health minister, tweeted: “C’mon everyone. We’ve come too far to go back. Great to see our economy reopened and social life resuming but let’s keep using our cop on and common sense.”
Hello everyone. I’m Lucy Campbell, joining the blog for the next eight hours or so to bring you the latest global developments on the coronavirus pandemic. Please feel free to get in touch with me as I work - your contributions are always welcome!
Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_
Forty-four more people have died from Covid-19 in Bangladesh, according to the latest update from health authorities, as 3,201 more people tested positive for the coronavirus that causes it.
The total death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in the south Asian country is now 2,096, while 76,149 have recovered, from a total caseload of 165,618. So far, 863,307 tests have been carried out in the country.
TBS News reports that 63,801 people are quarantined across the country.
Wearing masks on public transport has become mandatory across Switzerland from today, a U-turn from the alpine country in the face of a rising number of new infections, writes Philip Oltermann, the Guardian’s Berlin bureau chief.
Until this week, Swiss officials had advised commuters to wear face masks on public transport during rush-hour.
Simonetta Sommaruga, the president of the Swiss confederation, conceded in an interview with Tagesanzeiger that the country should have introduced a mask-wearing rule for public transport at an earlier stage.Simonetta Sommaruga, the president of the Swiss confederation, conceded in an interview with Tagesanzeiger that the country should have introduced a mask-wearing rule for public transport at an earlier stage.
“But we wanted to see how the situation would develop – and now we have interfered where necessary,” Sommaruga said.“But we wanted to see how the situation would develop – and now we have interfered where necessary,” Sommaruga said.
Switzerland began to ease social distancing restrictions more widely and rapidly than most other European states from 30 May, with bars and nightclubs having been allowed to serve customers since 6 May.Switzerland began to ease social distancing restrictions more widely and rapidly than most other European states from 30 May, with bars and nightclubs having been allowed to serve customers since 6 May.
Some 300 people were sent into a ten-day quarantine on 28 June following an outbreak of Covid-19 at a nightclub in Zurich. Switzerland has recorded 617 confirmed new infections in the last seven days. Three hundred people were sent into a 10-day quarantine on 28 June following an outbreak of Covid-19 at a nightclub in Zurich. Switzerland has recorded 617 confirmed new infections in the last seven days.
The Guardian’s daily rundown of coronavirus cases and deaths around the world has been updated.The Guardian’s daily rundown of coronavirus cases and deaths around the world has been updated.
Click through below for more details from your region.Click through below for more details from your region.
The planned reopening of the Taj Mahal, one of India’s most famous monuments, has been postponed, as the country rose to become the world’s third most affected by the coronavirus outbreak.The planned reopening of the Taj Mahal, one of India’s most famous monuments, has been postponed, as the country rose to become the world’s third most affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Local authorities issued a new advisory late on Sunday ordering an extension of lockdown curbs on monuments in and around Agra, Reuters reports. The government order did not specify the duration of the lockdown for monuments that have been closed since March.Local authorities issued a new advisory late on Sunday ordering an extension of lockdown curbs on monuments in and around Agra, Reuters reports. The government order did not specify the duration of the lockdown for monuments that have been closed since March.
“In the interest of the public, it has been decided that opening monuments in Agra will not be advisable as of now”, the district authorities said in a notice published in Hindi.“In the interest of the public, it has been decided that opening monuments in Agra will not be advisable as of now”, the district authorities said in a notice published in Hindi.
Agra, one of India’s first big clusters of the virus, remains the worst-affected city in Uttar Pradesh, the country’s most populous state.Agra, one of India’s first big clusters of the virus, remains the worst-affected city in Uttar Pradesh, the country’s most populous state.
It was not immediately clear whether the federal government would scrap its plan to reopen other monuments across the country, such as New Delhi’s historic Red Fort.It was not immediately clear whether the federal government would scrap its plan to reopen other monuments across the country, such as New Delhi’s historic Red Fort.
Pakistan’s health minister, Zafar Mirza, has tested positive for coronavirus, making him the latest high-profile government minister to contract the virus, according to the Associated Press.Pakistan’s health minister, Zafar Mirza, has tested positive for coronavirus, making him the latest high-profile government minister to contract the virus, according to the Associated Press.
The foreign minister, Moahmood Qureshi, announced on Friday that he too had tested positive for the virus.The foreign minister, Moahmood Qureshi, announced on Friday that he too had tested positive for the virus.
The men say their symptoms are mild. In a tweet on Monday, Mirza said he is self-isolating.The men say their symptoms are mild. In a tweet on Monday, Mirza said he is self-isolating.
On Monday, Pakistan’s health authorities reported 3,344 new cases of coronavirus, taking the country’s overall case load to 231,813. There have been 4,762 deaths, after a further 50 were reported in the latest update.On Monday, Pakistan’s health authorities reported 3,344 new cases of coronavirus, taking the country’s overall case load to 231,813. There have been 4,762 deaths, after a further 50 were reported in the latest update.
The prime minister, Imran Khan, has refused to impose strict lockdowns, easing many restrictions that had been imposed. His government has ordered people to wear masks and observe social distancing guidelines. However, most people, especially among the poor and in the congested cities are not able to keep their distance.The prime minister, Imran Khan, has refused to impose strict lockdowns, easing many restrictions that had been imposed. His government has ordered people to wear masks and observe social distancing guidelines. However, most people, especially among the poor and in the congested cities are not able to keep their distance.
Russia’s official coronavirus case tally rose to 687,862 on Monday after officials reported 6,611 new infections in the last 24 hours, Reuters reports.Russia’s official coronavirus case tally rose to 687,862 on Monday after officials reported 6,611 new infections in the last 24 hours, Reuters reports.
Authorities also said 135 people had died overnight, bringing Russia’s official death toll to 10,296.Authorities also said 135 people had died overnight, bringing Russia’s official death toll to 10,296.
India overtook Russia over the weekend as the country with the third highest number of infections behind the US and Brazil.India overtook Russia over the weekend as the country with the third highest number of infections behind the US and Brazil.
Fiji has recorded its first new case of coronavirus in 78 days, after a 66-year-old man tested positive for the virus after returning to the country from India, according to AFP.Fiji has recorded its first new case of coronavirus in 78 days, after a 66-year-old man tested positive for the virus after returning to the country from India, according to AFP.
It is the 19th case in the small South Pacific island nation, and more are now expected.It is the 19th case in the small South Pacific island nation, and more are now expected.
“We’ve confirmed a border case of Covid-19 among a returning citizen while he was securely in the confines of government-funded quarantine,” the prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, said.“We’ve confirmed a border case of Covid-19 among a returning citizen while he was securely in the confines of government-funded quarantine,” the prime minister, Frank Bainimarama, said.
All arrivals to Fiji have to undergo 14 days of quarantine.All arrivals to Fiji have to undergo 14 days of quarantine.
The acting permanent secretary for health, James Fong, said Fiji had deliberately refrained from calling itself ‘covid-free’ and was not surprised when the positive test was recorded Sunday.The acting permanent secretary for health, James Fong, said Fiji had deliberately refrained from calling itself ‘covid-free’ and was not surprised when the positive test was recorded Sunday.
“While Fiji may be free of community-based transmission of Covid-19, this pandemic is still raging beyond our shores,” he said. “We don’t expect this to be Fiji’s last border quarantine case.”“While Fiji may be free of community-based transmission of Covid-19, this pandemic is still raging beyond our shores,” he said. “We don’t expect this to be Fiji’s last border quarantine case.”
Chinese authorities on Monday detained a law professor who published essays criticising President Xi Jinping over the coronavirus pandemic and his efforts to consolidate power, according to friends of the man, AFP reports.Chinese authorities on Monday detained a law professor who published essays criticising President Xi Jinping over the coronavirus pandemic and his efforts to consolidate power, according to friends of the man, AFP reports.
Xu Zhangrun, a rare outspoken critic of the government in China’s heavily censored academia, was taken from his home in suburban Beijing by more than 20 people, one of his friends said on condition of anonymity.Xu Zhangrun, a rare outspoken critic of the government in China’s heavily censored academia, was taken from his home in suburban Beijing by more than 20 people, one of his friends said on condition of anonymity.
Xu published an essay in February blaming the culture of deception and censorship fostered by Xi for the spread of the coronavirus in China.Xu published an essay in February blaming the culture of deception and censorship fostered by Xi for the spread of the coronavirus in China.
The law professor at Tsinghua University, one of China’s top institutions, had previously spoken out against the 2018 abolition of presidential term limits in an essay circulated online.The law professor at Tsinghua University, one of China’s top institutions, had previously spoken out against the 2018 abolition of presidential term limits in an essay circulated online.
A friend said a man claiming to be police had called Xu’s wife, who had been living separately at a university residence, to say Xu was arrested for allegedly soliciting prostitution in the southwestern city of Chengdu.A friend said a man claiming to be police had called Xu’s wife, who had been living separately at a university residence, to say Xu was arrested for allegedly soliciting prostitution in the southwestern city of Chengdu.
Xu visited Chengdu last winter with a number of liberal Chinese scholars, although it is unclear if the arrest was connected to the trip, the friend said, calling the allegation against Xu “ridiculous and shameless”.Xu visited Chengdu last winter with a number of liberal Chinese scholars, although it is unclear if the arrest was connected to the trip, the friend said, calling the allegation against Xu “ridiculous and shameless”.
The UK government’s culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, has criticised people who failed to adhere to social distancing guidelines when pubs reopened in England on Saturday. But, he said, the “vast majority” obeyed the rules.The UK government’s culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, has criticised people who failed to adhere to social distancing guidelines when pubs reopened in England on Saturday. But, he said, the “vast majority” obeyed the rules.
Despite England’s severe toll from the coronavirus pandemic, and fears of a second wave of infections now that restrictions have been eased, people up and down the country flocked to pubs on Saturday after they reopened for the first time in about three months.Despite England’s severe toll from the coronavirus pandemic, and fears of a second wave of infections now that restrictions have been eased, people up and down the country flocked to pubs on Saturday after they reopened for the first time in about three months.
That led to chaotic scenes in some areas, such as central London’s Soho district, where thousands of people thronged the streets in what seemed almost like a festival atmosphere.That led to chaotic scenes in some areas, such as central London’s Soho district, where thousands of people thronged the streets in what seemed almost like a festival atmosphere.
On Monday morning, Dowden told BBC Breakfast: “In respect to what happen in a few places, and I should say a few places, on Saturday night clearly that is not acceptable and people should be socially distancing.On Monday morning, Dowden told BBC Breakfast: “In respect to what happen in a few places, and I should say a few places, on Saturday night clearly that is not acceptable and people should be socially distancing.
“And actually I think by and large the vast majority of people up and down Britain showed British common sense, listened to the rules and socially distanced.”“And actually I think by and large the vast majority of people up and down Britain showed British common sense, listened to the rules and socially distanced.”
The coronavirus may have been lying dormant across the world until emerging under favourable environmental conditions, rather than originating in China, an expert has claimed, according to PA Media.The coronavirus may have been lying dormant across the world until emerging under favourable environmental conditions, rather than originating in China, an expert has claimed, according to PA Media.
Dr Tom Jefferson, from the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) at Oxford University, has pointed to a string of recent discoveries of the virus’s presence around the world before it emerged in Asia as growing evidence of its true origin as a global organism that was waiting for favourable conditions to finally emerge.Dr Tom Jefferson, from the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) at Oxford University, has pointed to a string of recent discoveries of the virus’s presence around the world before it emerged in Asia as growing evidence of its true origin as a global organism that was waiting for favourable conditions to finally emerge.
Traces of coronavirus have been found in sewage samples from Spain, Italy and Brazil that pre-date its discovery in China.Traces of coronavirus have been found in sewage samples from Spain, Italy and Brazil that pre-date its discovery in China.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Jefferson has called for an investigation into how and why the virus seems to thrive in environments such as food factories and meatpacking plants.In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Jefferson has called for an investigation into how and why the virus seems to thrive in environments such as food factories and meatpacking plants.
Along with CEBM director Prof Carl Heneghan, Jefferson believes this could potentially uncover new transmission routes, such as through the sewerage system or shared lavatory facilities.Along with CEBM director Prof Carl Heneghan, Jefferson believes this could potentially uncover new transmission routes, such as through the sewerage system or shared lavatory facilities.
He told the paper:He told the paper:
(NB: A couple of readers have written in to point out that the claim that Western Samoa had no contact with the outside world is incorrect. One, Josie Cartwright, wrote: “New Zealand made an official apology in 2002 for being 100% responsible for sending a ship from Auckland to Western Samoa, and for failing to take any quarantine action or accept offered assistance from American Samoa (W.S. was under New Zealand’s occupation at the time). This idea that the virus could always have been lying in wait is based on one incorrect example.”)(NB: A couple of readers have written in to point out that the claim that Western Samoa had no contact with the outside world is incorrect. One, Josie Cartwright, wrote: “New Zealand made an official apology in 2002 for being 100% responsible for sending a ship from Auckland to Western Samoa, and for failing to take any quarantine action or accept offered assistance from American Samoa (W.S. was under New Zealand’s occupation at the time). This idea that the virus could always have been lying in wait is based on one incorrect example.”)
Security agencies in Egypt have tried to stifle criticism about the handling of the coronavirus health crisis by the government of Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, the Associated Press reports.Security agencies in Egypt have tried to stifle criticism about the handling of the coronavirus health crisis by the government of Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, the Associated Press reports.
At least 10 doctors and six journalists have been arrested since the virus first hit Egypt in February, according to rights groups. Other health workers say they have been warned by administrators to keep quiet or face punishment. One foreign correspondent has fled the country, fearing arrest, and another two have been summoned for reprimand over “professional violations”.At least 10 doctors and six journalists have been arrested since the virus first hit Egypt in February, according to rights groups. Other health workers say they have been warned by administrators to keep quiet or face punishment. One foreign correspondent has fled the country, fearing arrest, and another two have been summoned for reprimand over “professional violations”.
Coronavirus infections have surged in the country of 100 million, threatening to overwhelm hospitals. As of Monday, the health ministry had recorded 75,253 infections, including 3,343 deaths – the highest death toll in the Arab world.Coronavirus infections have surged in the country of 100 million, threatening to overwhelm hospitals. As of Monday, the health ministry had recorded 75,253 infections, including 3,343 deaths – the highest death toll in the Arab world.
“Every day I go to work, I sacrifice myself and my whole family,” said a frontline doctor in greater Cairo, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, like all doctors interviewed for this story. “Then they arrest my colleagues to send us a message. I see no light on the horizon.”“Every day I go to work, I sacrifice myself and my whole family,” said a frontline doctor in greater Cairo, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, like all doctors interviewed for this story. “Then they arrest my colleagues to send us a message. I see no light on the horizon.”
A government press officer did not respond to requests for comment on the arrests of doctors and journalists but did send the Associated Press a document entitled “Realities defeating evil falsehoods,” which details what it says are el-Sissi’s successes in improving the economy and fighting terrorism.A government press officer did not respond to requests for comment on the arrests of doctors and journalists but did send the Associated Press a document entitled “Realities defeating evil falsehoods,” which details what it says are el-Sissi’s successes in improving the economy and fighting terrorism.
El-Sissi has said the virus’s trajectory was “reassuring” and described critics as “enemies of the state”. The Worldometers website, which collects official coronavirus statistics from countries around the world, shows a downward curve in new daily infections in Egypt since the end of June, with 1,218 recorded on Sunday, as well as 68 deaths.El-Sissi has said the virus’s trajectory was “reassuring” and described critics as “enemies of the state”. The Worldometers website, which collects official coronavirus statistics from countries around the world, shows a downward curve in new daily infections in Egypt since the end of June, with 1,218 recorded on Sunday, as well as 68 deaths.
In recent weeks, authorities have marshalled medical supplies to prepare for more patients. The military has set up field hospitals and isolation centres with 4,000 beds and delivered masks to citizens, free of charge, at metro stops, squares and other public places.In recent weeks, authorities have marshalled medical supplies to prepare for more patients. The military has set up field hospitals and isolation centres with 4,000 beds and delivered masks to citizens, free of charge, at metro stops, squares and other public places.