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Coronavirus live news: Melbourne goes back into lockdown; Italy stops Bangladesh flights after new infections Coronavirus live news: Brazil's Bolsonaro vetoes Covid-19 support for indigenous people
(32 minutes later)
Melbourne goes into full lockdown after rises in cases; Bolsonaro taking hydroxychloroquine to cure his Covid-19 infection President allows some measures to go ahead; Melbourne goes into full lockdown after rises in cases
The French government said it was geared for a possible surge in coronavirus cases in the coming months but ruled out another nationwide lockdown.
“My aim is to prepare France for a possible second wave while preserving our daily life, our economic and social life,” new prime minister Jean Castex said in an interview on RTL television.
“But we’re not going to impose a lockdown like the one we did last March, because we’ve learned... that the economic and human consequences from a total lockdown are disastrous,” he said.
Instead business closures or stay-at-home orders would be “targeted” to specific areas, Castex added.
“The coronavirus is still here,” he warned, adding that he would travel Sunday to France’s South American territory of French Guiana, which is reeling from a surge in Covid-19 cases.
Officials reported 124 new cases in the territory on Tuesday, bringing the total to nearly 5,200, and the government has dispatched dozens of health workers from the mainland as well as a field hospital.
They also said that 32 people had died from Covid-19 in the latest 24-hour period, bringing the national toll to 29,965 since the first cases were reported in January.
Placing hamsters on an aeroplane could be one way of examining whether coronavirus can be spread through airborne transmission, an infectious disease specialist suggested.
Epidemiologist Professor David Heymann said further “complex studies” were needed to see if people could catch Covid-19 through air circulating on planes or through restaurant air conditioning systems.
He said scientists could use animal studies to test for the potential spread of the illness, an approach previously used for tuberculosis research.
Prof Heymann argued that “epidemiological indicators” in some countries where people could move about in public did not point to an “increased transmission” that may occur if the virus was airborne.
His comments come after the World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledged there is “emerging evidence” that Covid-19 could be spread through particles in the air.
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has vetoed provisions of a law that required the federal government to provide drinking water, disinfectants and a guarantee of hospital beds to indigenous communities amid the pandemic.
Bolsonaro, who has tested positive for coronavirus, vetoed 16 parts of the law on efforts to address the coronavirus threat to the indigenous population, but still allowed for provisions on adequate testing, ambulance services and medical equipment.
“The vetoes deny the minimum necessary for the survival of these communities,” Brazilian indigenous advocacy group Instituto Socioambiental (ISA) said in a statement.
“The vetoes reveal that the president’s plan is not to have a plan,” it said.
ISA called on Congress to overturn the vetoes, which it can do with sufficient votes.
The president also vetoed funding for the states and local governments with emergency plans for indigenous communities, as well as provisions to help give them more information on coronavirus, including greater internet access.
On the campaign trail, Bolsonaro swore to not to designate any more land for indigenous reserves. The right-wing populist has sought to assimilate indigenous peoples by calling for commercial farming and mining to be introduced on their reserves, saying it will raise them out of poverty.
The president’s office said those provisions in the law, approved by Congress, were “against the public interest” and “unconstitutional,” by creating expenses for the federal government without new sources of revenue to cover them.
Brazil’s indigenous population of roughly 850,000 is more vulnerable to Covid-19, as they live in remote areas with little access to health care systems and because their communal lifestyle rules out social distancing.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged EU countries to show solidarity and overcome divisions to approve a massive coronavirus recovery plan this summer.
The leaders of the 27 EU states meet in Brussels next week for a crunch summit aimed at agreeing a 750-billion euro ($843-billion) plan to tackle economic devastation wrought by the pandemic.
Merkel met on Wednesday with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, and EU leaders, Charles Michel and David Sassoli, to prepare for the July 17-18 meeting.
In a joint statement, they underscored “that reaching swiftly an agreement on an ambitious European recovery package is the EU’s highest priority for the coming weeks.
In addition, they “stressed that it would be essential that Heads of State and Government reach an agreement during this European Council meeting.”
But a group of countries, a so-called “Frugal Four”, are trying to rein in spending, which is earmarked mainly for the poorer countries of southern Europe hardest hit by the pandemic.
“We need extraordinary solidarity - everyone is ready, especially Germany, to overcome the pandemic, to deal with its consequences”, Merkel told the European Parliament in a speech to mark Germany taking over the EU’s rotating presidency for six months.
Next week’s summit - the first physical meeting of leaders since travel restrictions were put in place to try to stem the spread of coronavirus - is set to be a fraught affair.
Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden insist that loans with tough conditions attached, rather than grants, should be the preferred method of rescue and are not in a rush to make a deal.
Other countries argue that the plan, drawn up by the European Commission, misallocates the money, giving too much to eastern Europeans who were never on the front lines of the pandemic.
“Our common objective is to find a quick agreement as time is running out due to the economic crisis. We must not waste time. The poorest are paying the price”, Merkel said, urging all sides to make compromises.
Of the proposed 750 billion euros, 500 billion euros would be redistributed in the form of grants, with rest distributed as loans.
The number of coronavirus cases has passed the 301,000 mark in Chile, according to the Johns-Hopkins University tracker.The number of coronavirus cases has passed the 301,000 mark in Chile, according to the Johns-Hopkins University tracker.
The figure is currently 301,019, which is the sixth highest in the world after the US, Brazil, India, Russia, and Peru.The figure is currently 301,019, which is the sixth highest in the world after the US, Brazil, India, Russia, and Peru.
Authorities in northeast Spain will start fining individuals who do not wear face masks 100 euros ($113) starting on Thursday when the use of masks becomes mandatory in Barcelona and the surrounding Catalonia region.Authorities in northeast Spain will start fining individuals who do not wear face masks 100 euros ($113) starting on Thursday when the use of masks becomes mandatory in Barcelona and the surrounding Catalonia region.
Spain ended a nationwide lockdown in mid-June after restrictions on movement and public activity succeeded in reining in the country’s virus outbreak after it had pushed the healthcare system to the breaking point and killed thousands of people.Spain ended a nationwide lockdown in mid-June after restrictions on movement and public activity succeeded in reining in the country’s virus outbreak after it had pushed the healthcare system to the breaking point and killed thousands of people.
But with most restrictions lifted and some people not following social-distancing rules, the number of confirmed new cases reported daily in Spain has begun to creep up. Confirmed cases doubled between Tuesday and Wednesday amid dozens of small outbreaks.But with most restrictions lifted and some people not following social-distancing rules, the number of confirmed new cases reported daily in Spain has begun to creep up. Confirmed cases doubled between Tuesday and Wednesday amid dozens of small outbreaks.
The biggest increase was in the Catalonia region, with 52 new confirmed cases in a 24-hour period and nearly 2,000 in the past two weeks.The biggest increase was in the Catalonia region, with 52 new confirmed cases in a 24-hour period and nearly 2,000 in the past two weeks.
The US has surpassed three million confirmed cases of coronavirus, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.The US has surpassed three million confirmed cases of coronavirus, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
It represents around a quarter of the world’s total cases. US-based Johns Hopkins records that there have been 131,594 deaths among the total of 3,016,515 cases.It represents around a quarter of the world’s total cases. US-based Johns Hopkins records that there have been 131,594 deaths among the total of 3,016,515 cases.
New York City students will return to their schools two or three days a week and learn online the rest of the time, under a plan announced by mayor Bill de Blasio.New York City students will return to their schools two or three days a week and learn online the rest of the time, under a plan announced by mayor Bill de Blasio.
Most schools will not be able to have all their kids in school at the same time, he added.Most schools will not be able to have all their kids in school at the same time, he added.
De Blasio said parents will have the option of online-only instruction for their children, but he said 75% of parents who answered a survey want their children in school in September.De Blasio said parents will have the option of online-only instruction for their children, but he said 75% of parents who answered a survey want their children in school in September.
Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has clashed with de Blasio repeatedly over control of the city’s schools and other issues, said all school districts statewide must submit plans for reopening by July 31 and state officials will decide in the first week of August whether to accept the plans and whether schools will reopen.Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has clashed with de Blasio repeatedly over control of the city’s schools and other issues, said all school districts statewide must submit plans for reopening by July 31 and state officials will decide in the first week of August whether to accept the plans and whether schools will reopen.
“They can submit a plan, the plan will be reviewed and then we will accept or deny the specific plan or ask for alterations on the specific plan and then make a global decision as to whether or not any school district will reopen and that will be the first week of August,” said Cuomo.“They can submit a plan, the plan will be reviewed and then we will accept or deny the specific plan or ask for alterations on the specific plan and then make a global decision as to whether or not any school district will reopen and that will be the first week of August,” said Cuomo.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 2,982,900 cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, an increase of 50,304 cases from its previous count.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 2,982,900 cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, an increase of 50,304 cases from its previous count.
It said that the number of deaths had risen by 932 to 131,065.It said that the number of deaths had risen by 932 to 131,065.
The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.The CDC figures do not necessarily reflect cases reported by individual states.
Here are the latest developments:Here are the latest developments:
The Australian city of Melbourne has begun a new lockdown after a surge of infections. Among the restrictions are that visits to other people’s homes are limited to if you are giving or receiving care or if you are in an “intimate personal relationship”.The Australian city of Melbourne has begun a new lockdown after a surge of infections. Among the restrictions are that visits to other people’s homes are limited to if you are giving or receiving care or if you are in an “intimate personal relationship”.
Italian authorities stopped 125 Bangladeshi people from entering the country today after they landed at Rome’s Fiumicino airport on a flight from Qatar. Yesterday, Italy suspended flights from Bangladesh for a week after 36 people who arrived in Rome on board a flight the day before tested positive for coronavirus.Italian authorities stopped 125 Bangladeshi people from entering the country today after they landed at Rome’s Fiumicino airport on a flight from Qatar. Yesterday, Italy suspended flights from Bangladesh for a week after 36 people who arrived in Rome on board a flight the day before tested positive for coronavirus.
Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel has warned the European Union not to waste time in agreeing a recovery plan to pull the continent out of a historic recession caused by the coronavirus lockdown. Merkel said she hoped to see a deal before the summer break on a proposed €750bn recovery plan.Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel has warned the European Union not to waste time in agreeing a recovery plan to pull the continent out of a historic recession caused by the coronavirus lockdown. Merkel said she hoped to see a deal before the summer break on a proposed €750bn recovery plan.
Austria’s government has announced travel restrictions for fellow EU members Romania and Bulgaria after a spike in the number of coronavirus cases in both countries. Greece, which like Austria, has had a low number of infections and deaths compared with other European nations, has also expressed concern about imported cases from the Balkans.Austria’s government has announced travel restrictions for fellow EU members Romania and Bulgaria after a spike in the number of coronavirus cases in both countries. Greece, which like Austria, has had a low number of infections and deaths compared with other European nations, has also expressed concern about imported cases from the Balkans.
Iran’s coronavirus death toll exceeded 12,000 on Wednesday, the health ministry said, with 153 deaths in the past 24 hours, amid a sharp rise in the number of daily infections and deaths in the past week as lockdown measures have eased.Iran’s coronavirus death toll exceeded 12,000 on Wednesday, the health ministry said, with 153 deaths in the past 24 hours, amid a sharp rise in the number of daily infections and deaths in the past week as lockdown measures have eased.
Italy plans to monitor wastewater nationwide for a possible early warning about any renewed outbreak of Covid-19 infections, the National Institute of Health (ISS) said today, Reuters reports:Italy plans to monitor wastewater nationwide for a possible early warning about any renewed outbreak of Covid-19 infections, the National Institute of Health (ISS) said today, Reuters reports:
The number of deaths in France from Covid-19 has risen by 32 from the previous day to stand at 29,965 the country’s health department said today.The number of deaths in France from Covid-19 has risen by 32 from the previous day to stand at 29,965 the country’s health department said today.
That figure is almost twice as high as the daily average of 18 seen over the last seven days and more akin to last month’s toll. In June, France counted 34 additional deaths every day on average, in May the figure was 143 and in April it was 695. France has the sixth-largest death toll in the world.That figure is almost twice as high as the daily average of 18 seen over the last seven days and more akin to last month’s toll. In June, France counted 34 additional deaths every day on average, in May the figure was 143 and in April it was 695. France has the sixth-largest death toll in the world.
Canada handled the coronavirus outbreak better than many of its allies, including the United States, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday in a rare public comment on the faltering US effort, Reuters reports.Canada handled the coronavirus outbreak better than many of its allies, including the United States, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday in a rare public comment on the faltering US effort, Reuters reports.
In an update to a truly horrific story, French prosecutors have today charged two men with attempted murder after a bus driver was assaulted and left brain dead for refusing to let aboard a group of people who were not wearing face masks.In an update to a truly horrific story, French prosecutors have today charged two men with attempted murder after a bus driver was assaulted and left brain dead for refusing to let aboard a group of people who were not wearing face masks.
Four men set upon 59-year-old Philippe Monguillot in the southwestern town of Bayonne on Sunday after he asked three of them to wear masks and tried to check another man’s ticket.Four men set upon 59-year-old Philippe Monguillot in the southwestern town of Bayonne on Sunday after he asked three of them to wear masks and tried to check another man’s ticket.
Face masks remain mandatory on public transport in France to slow the Covid-19 outbreak, which has claimed nearly 30,000 lives in the country.Face masks remain mandatory on public transport in France to slow the Covid-19 outbreak, which has claimed nearly 30,000 lives in the country.