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Coronavirus live news: Okinawa anger over US base cases, Australia vaccine trial to begin Coronavirus live news: Russia reports over 6,600 new cases; UK Labour signals support for stricter mask rules
(32 minutes later)
Dozens of US soldiers test positive; ‘molecular clamp’ jab works in animal tests; Florida reopens Walt Disney World despite infection surge Russia’s case total now above 727,000; UK opposition signals support for mandatory masks in shops; Anger in Japan as dozens of US soldiers test positive on Okinawa base; Australia to start human vaccine trial
The UK government is today announcing a investment of more then £700m in Britain’s borders.
Gove said this was taken “to make sure our borders can enable the smooth flow of traffic but keep us safe”.
It is not totally clear how this money will be spent, but on Sky News this morning, he mentioned an investment in more border security.
Gove said the government “should do everything we can to encourage and support people to wear facemark in enclosed spaces”, but falls short of committing to rules and regulations around the wearing of masks.
He said the government is “investing in significantly increasing capacity to manufacture face masks”.
Gove said face masks “definitely help you to help others” by reducing the spread of the virus in enclosed spaces.
British cabinet office minister Michael Gove said that people should go back to workplaces if it was necessary to “add value” and be a part of the “productive economy”, but in some cases it may be “appropriate and convenient” and work from home.
“[We want to] ensure the economic engines of this country are fired up again,” he said.
However, he said that the “pandemic taught us that there are some roles which can be performed effectively form home and we can rethink work in certain ways”, and that the civil service is looking at enabling people to work from across the UK, rather than just the capital of London.
The General secretary of the Trade Union Congress in the UK has called for an increase in statutory sick pay to ensure that “people can afford to take time off”.
Frances O’Grady said she wanted people to drive up consumer demand and support businesses and services, but that the best way to do this was to increase wages.
She also called for strong health and safety measures as businesses reopen and welcome workers back, saying “the best way to get people back to work is to do it safely”.
O’Grady also said that an effective test and trace mechanism would help increase consumer confidence.
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has suspended debt service repayments for some countries and companies for the rest of 2020.
The fund provides financial assistance to companies in the United Arab Emirates and to developing countries, which has included Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia.
The fund did not say which countries and companies would be eligible, or what the criteria for this would be.
“At a time when the world is reeling under the effect of the pandemic ... it is imperative for us to support particularly those that need it most, especially the low-income countries,” the fund’s director general Mohammed Saif al-Suwaidi said.
The British Labour party could support the mandatory wearing of face coverings in shops, the shadow business minister has said.The British Labour party could support the mandatory wearing of face coverings in shops, the shadow business minister has said.
Speaking to Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, Lucy Powell MP said: “We do need to get a lot more confidence back in the system and if the mandatory wearing of face masks in shops will help to do that then we absolutely support it.Speaking to Sky News’ Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme, Lucy Powell MP said: “We do need to get a lot more confidence back in the system and if the mandatory wearing of face masks in shops will help to do that then we absolutely support it.
“We think the Government - instead of just showing a bit of leg occasionally on these things by briefing newspapers or saying things that are not clear guidance in press conferences as the Prime Minister did on Friday - (should) get some clarity.“We think the Government - instead of just showing a bit of leg occasionally on these things by briefing newspapers or saying things that are not clear guidance in press conferences as the Prime Minister did on Friday - (should) get some clarity.
“That’s really something that would get confidence back into the system and get people feeling that they can go to the shops, they can go to restaurants and go to bars.”“That’s really something that would get confidence back into the system and get people feeling that they can go to the shops, they can go to restaurants and go to bars.”
In Australia, Queensland has urged any of its residents who have visited Sydney’s Crossroads Hotel, which is the site of a recent outbreak, to get tested and isolate immediately.In Australia, Queensland has urged any of its residents who have visited Sydney’s Crossroads Hotel, which is the site of a recent outbreak, to get tested and isolate immediately.
The same advice has already been given to residents of NSW after nine cases were linked to the busy hotel, which is popular with freight drivers and other travellers. The state’s deputy Premier and minister for health, Steven Miles, said the outbreak was concerning and he encouraged Queenslanders to respond appropriately.The same advice has already been given to residents of NSW after nine cases were linked to the busy hotel, which is popular with freight drivers and other travellers. The state’s deputy Premier and minister for health, Steven Miles, said the outbreak was concerning and he encouraged Queenslanders to respond appropriately.
“Any Queenslanders who have been to the Crossroads Hotel from July 3 to July 10 inclusive should get Covid-19 tested as soon as possible and then immediately self-isolate,” Miles said. “The hotel is a busy stopover for many travellers, so it is very likely that there are a number of Queenslanders who have been there during this period.”“Any Queenslanders who have been to the Crossroads Hotel from July 3 to July 10 inclusive should get Covid-19 tested as soon as possible and then immediately self-isolate,” Miles said. “The hotel is a busy stopover for many travellers, so it is very likely that there are a number of Queenslanders who have been there during this period.”
Russia has reported 6,615 new coronavirus cases, taking its total number of confirmed cases to 727,162.Russia has reported 6,615 new coronavirus cases, taking its total number of confirmed cases to 727,162.
A further 130 people died from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, the country’s coronavirus crisis response centre said. This brings Russia’s total death toll to 11,335.A further 130 people died from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, the country’s coronavirus crisis response centre said. This brings Russia’s total death toll to 11,335.
At Imperial College London, a team working on a coronavirus vaccine have begun testing it on volunteers.At Imperial College London, a team working on a coronavirus vaccine have begun testing it on volunteers.
Prof Robin Shattock, who leads the team, said it is hard to predict how successful the vaccine will be. He said that there is a very low risk of the vaccine not working at all, and because so many being developed means some should work.Prof Robin Shattock, who leads the team, said it is hard to predict how successful the vaccine will be. He said that there is a very low risk of the vaccine not working at all, and because so many being developed means some should work.
Shattock also said that success depends on how much immunity people need against the vaccine - if it is less than 50%, many vaccines being developed could be effective.Shattock also said that success depends on how much immunity people need against the vaccine - if it is less than 50%, many vaccines being developed could be effective.
Shattock said that the team should have the answer as to whether it works by early next year, have infrastructure to make enough for the whole of the UK, providing they can pay. He said it will be prioritised for the UK as the country has funded the trial.Shattock said that the team should have the answer as to whether it works by early next year, have infrastructure to make enough for the whole of the UK, providing they can pay. He said it will be prioritised for the UK as the country has funded the trial.
He also warned of a gap between producing the vaccine and being able to distribute it widely.He also warned of a gap between producing the vaccine and being able to distribute it widely.
“I think people underestimate the huge effort it will be to go from discovery to billions of doses,” Shattock said.“I think people underestimate the huge effort it will be to go from discovery to billions of doses,” Shattock said.
Shattock also said that having a vaccine by September was “optimistic” and “low probability”, but that all bets were off.Shattock also said that having a vaccine by September was “optimistic” and “low probability”, but that all bets were off.
Shattock said he expected the UK would be in a cycle of easing restrictions and locking down again until a vaccine was accessible.Shattock said he expected the UK would be in a cycle of easing restrictions and locking down again until a vaccine was accessible.
In the UK, Shadow Minister for Business and Consumers Lucy Powell has criticised the Chancellor’s ‘summer statement’ as a “real missed opportunity”.In the UK, Shadow Minister for Business and Consumers Lucy Powell has criticised the Chancellor’s ‘summer statement’ as a “real missed opportunity”.
Speaking on Sophy Ridge, Powell said that the statement was perhaps the last opportunity to save tens of thousands of jobs.Speaking on Sophy Ridge, Powell said that the statement was perhaps the last opportunity to save tens of thousands of jobs.
You can watch an extract of the interview here:You can watch an extract of the interview here:
Tokyo has confirmed 206 new cases of coronavirus, public broadcaster NHK reported.Tokyo has confirmed 206 new cases of coronavirus, public broadcaster NHK reported.
The total marks the fourth straight day of more than 200 cases, as the Japanese capital faces a resurgence in the number of coronavirus cases after the government lifted a state of emergency.The total marks the fourth straight day of more than 200 cases, as the Japanese capital faces a resurgence in the number of coronavirus cases after the government lifted a state of emergency.
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Japanese officials say they weren’t told until after repeated requests that more than 60 US marines based on the island of Okinawa have been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Mexico’s Health Ministry on Saturday reported 6,094 new confirmed coronavirus infections and 539 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 295,268 cases and 34,730 deaths.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 248 to 198,804.
Hong Kong confirmed another 61 new cases on Saturday, amid a third resurgence for the city which held off a devastating outbreak in the early months. Head of Hong Kong University’s school of medicine, Dr Gabriel Leung, told local media today that the reproductive number of the virus has risen to nearly four, making it “Hong Kong’s first sustained local outbreak”.
Australia has confirmed 279 new cases, of which 273 are in Victoria, including 145 cases linked to North Melbourne and Flemington public housing towers.
In NSW returning Australians will be charged for the cost of their mandatory hotel quarantine, starting at $3,000 for one person, and in Victoria students in the stage three lockdown areas, from prep to year 10, are going back to remote learning.
In Australia a vaccine developed by the University of Queensland is ready to be tested on humans.
The USpresident, Donald Trump, has appeared in public wearing a mask for the first time during a visit to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington, after previously refusing to wear one and ridiculing some who did.
Brazil, the world’s second-worst coronavirus hotspot after the United States, recorded 1,071 new deaths from the outbreak on Saturday, taking the total official death toll to 71,469.
That’s it from me for the day, I’ll hand over the blog to my colleagues in London.
Reuters: Thai researchers plan to begin human trials of a potential vaccine for the new coronavirus in November and are preparing 10,000 doses, a senior official said on Sunday, aiming for a vaccine that could be ready for use by late next year.
Following favourable results in trials on primates, the next step is to manufacture doses for human trials, said Kiat Ruxrungtham, director of the Bangkok*s Chulalongkorn University vaccine development program.
Thailand’s first facility should complete production in October and send the products to a second facility, which should finish by November, he said. Originally the earliest target was September, but Kiat said not enough vaccine can be ready by then.
Facilities in San Diego and Vancouver will produce 10,000 doses for the trials for 5,000 people. The first group, aged 18 to 60, will receive different doses of the vaccine, he said.
The trials will not accept volunteers “until we receive approval from the Thai Food and Drug Administration and an ethics committee,” Kiat said.
Thai company BioNet-Asia is preparing its facilities for large-scale manufacturing if the trials prove successful, he said.
“If everything goes according to plan, the vaccine will be ready for Thailand in the third or fourth quarter next year,” Kiat said.
In Britain almost 2,500 children have been admitted to hospital with malnutrition in the first six months of the year – double the number over the same period last year – prompting fresh concern that families are struggling to afford to feed themselves and that the pandemic has intensified the problem.
Freedom of information responses from almost 50 trusts in England, representing 150 hospitals, show that more than 11,500 children have been admitted to hospital with malnutrition since 2015.
Almost 1,000 under-16s with malnutrition were admitted as inpatients to Cambridge University hospitals NHS foundation trust alone, suggesting the affluent city has wide disparities in wealth.
More details here on that developing issue in Okinawa.
The governor of Okinawa island in Japan has demanded that a United States military commander take tougher prevention measures and have more transparency after officials were told more than 60 marines at two bases have been infected with the coronavirus over the past few days.
On Sunday Okinawan officials reported 61 cases, 38 of them at marine corps air station Futenma, which is at the center of a relocation dispute, and another 23 at Camp Hansen since 7 July.
US military officials have told them the two bases have been put into lockdown.
The disclosure of the exact figures came only after repeated requests.
India’s most famous film star Amitabh Bachchan, and his son Abhishek, are in stable condition after testing positive for the coronavirus, a hospital official and government health authorities said on Sunday.
The 77-year-old legendary actor said in a tweet on Saturday night that he had tested positive for the highly infectious virus.
Within minutes, his actor son Abhishek Bachchan, 44, tweeted that he had also tested positive.
Both were moved to the Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai despite showing only mild symptoms and the father-son duo appealed to their millions of fans to stay calm.
On Sunday, an official at Nanavati and government health officials in Mumbai said both the father and son were in stable condition. Reports were awaited on the condition of Amitabh Bachchan’s wife Jaya and Abhishek’s wife Aishwarya, both also highly regarded actors.
Reuters: The cascading effects of coronavirus restrictions are hampering efforts to cope with seasonal outbreaks of dengue, an incurable, mosquito-borne disease that is also known as breakbone fever” for its severely painful symptoms.
Southeast Asian countries like Singapore and Indonesia have dealt with concurrent outbreaks of dengue and coronavirus this year. In Brazil, where there are over 1.6 million Covid-19 infections, at least 1.1 million cases of dengue have been reported, with nearly 400 deaths, according to the Pan American Health Organization.
2019 was the worst year on record for dengue, and cases are likely to rise soon with the start of seasonal rains in Latin American countries like Cuba, Chile and Costa Rica, as well as the South Asian countries of India and Pakistan.
Dengue typically isn’t fatal, but severe cases may require hospitalisation.
Prevention efforts targeted at destroying mosquito-breeding sites, like removing trash or old tires and other objects containing standing water, are still the best ways to curb the spread of the disease. But coronavirus-era lockdowns and other restrictions have meant that these efforts have been reduced or stopped altogether in many countries.
After just over a month of eased restrictions, Melbourne is facing its second round of stage three lockdowns. After the first round, Melburnians are feeling older, more tired and perhaps a bit wiser.
From shaving to survivor to whirlwind romances, these are some of the stay-home behaviours they are planning on changing this time.
Hong Kong health authorities have confirmed a record high number of locally-transmitted cases, about 50 of which can’t be traced to a previous infection.
Head of Hong Kong University’s school of medicine, Dr Gabriel Leung, told local media today that the reproductive number of the virus has risen to nearly four. This means every infected person could now be expected to pass it on to almost four others.
“Given the high baseline rate and [that] there is no sign of abatement of this trajectory and that real-time reproductive number of three to four, I think that we have now, or we have already entered Hong Kong’s first sustained local outbreak”, Leung said.
Some of the Australian statistics, shared by Coatsworth just now:
The number of cases confirmed in the 24 hours to noon is 279, of which 273 are in Victoria.
There have been five cases diagnosed in New South Wales, two of those individuals were in hotel quarantine and had acquired their infection overseas.
Three are local cases, who are household contacts of one of the people who contracted Covid-19 in south-west Sydney.
7,728 people have recovered from Covid-19 and in terms of current hospitalisation, 67 people are hospitalised and 17 of those are in intensive care units.
“It is critically important that if you were [at the Crossroads pub in Casula, NSW] during 3 July and 10 July, that you get yourself tested... including freight drivers, because that is a particular venue that is also frequented by people who do transnational freight driving.”
The New South Wales Health Department has recommended an increase in personal protective equipment for the hospitals in both local health districts around Casula.