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Coronavirus live news: WHO reports record daily rise in infections with 230,000 new global cases Coronavirus live news: WHO reports record daily rise in infections with 230,000 new global cases
(32 minutes later)
The biggest increases were from the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa, according to a daily reportThe biggest increases were from the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa, according to a daily report
NBC news is reporting that the White House is “seeking to discredit Dr. Anthony Fauci,” as Trump struggles to gain control over the coronavirus pandemic:
Hi, Helen Sullivan joining you now. I’ll be bringing you the latest pandemic news from around the world for the next few hours.Hi, Helen Sullivan joining you now. I’ll be bringing you the latest pandemic news from around the world for the next few hours.
As always, it would be good to hear from you – send news, tips, suggestions, extravagant gifts on Twitter @helenrsullivan or via email: helen.sullivan@theguardian.com.As always, it would be good to hear from you – send news, tips, suggestions, extravagant gifts on Twitter @helenrsullivan or via email: helen.sullivan@theguardian.com.
Here the latest key developments at a glance:Here the latest key developments at a glance:
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Sunday, with the total rising by 230,370 in 24 hours. The biggest increases were recorded in the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa.The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Sunday, with the total rising by 230,370 in 24 hours. The biggest increases were recorded in the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa.
A new report by Oxfam warns that the hunger crisis worsened by the pandemic could potentially kill more people each day than the infection itself, which has claimed more than half a million lives so far.A new report by Oxfam warns that the hunger crisis worsened by the pandemic could potentially kill more people each day than the infection itself, which has claimed more than half a million lives so far.
The US state of Florida has registered 15,300 new infections on Sunday, the biggest daily increase in recorded coronavirus cases in the state since the beginning of the pandemic.The US state of Florida has registered 15,300 new infections on Sunday, the biggest daily increase in recorded coronavirus cases in the state since the beginning of the pandemic.
Current hospitalisations in the US state of Texas rose by 327 to a new high of 10,410, a record high for the 14th day in a row.Current hospitalisations in the US state of Texas rose by 327 to a new high of 10,410, a record high for the 14th day in a row.
South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has reinstated a ban on the sale of alcohol to reduce the volume of trauma patients so that hospitals have more beds to treat Covid-19 patients.South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has reinstated a ban on the sale of alcohol to reduce the volume of trauma patients so that hospitals have more beds to treat Covid-19 patients.
The Palestinian Authority on Sunday imposed a night-time and weekend curfew on the occupied West Bank for the coming 14 days to try to rein in rising coronavirus numbers.The Palestinian Authority on Sunday imposed a night-time and weekend curfew on the occupied West Bank for the coming 14 days to try to rein in rising coronavirus numbers.
Mexico’s death toll from the coronavirus pandemic is poised to overtake Italy’s and shoot above 35,000 on Sunday.Mexico’s death toll from the coronavirus pandemic is poised to overtake Italy’s and shoot above 35,000 on Sunday.
The government of Spain’s Catalonia region on Sunday ordered residents in and around the north-eastern city of Lleida to go back into home confinement as cases of coronavirus rose.The government of Spain’s Catalonia region on Sunday ordered residents in and around the north-eastern city of Lleida to go back into home confinement as cases of coronavirus rose.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II said Sunday that his country had brought coronavirus under control and that it was time to focus on restarting the economy. Prime minister Omar al-Razzaz promised on Sunday to deepen a crackdown on the country’s rampant tax evasion.Jordan’s King Abdullah II said Sunday that his country had brought coronavirus under control and that it was time to focus on restarting the economy. Prime minister Omar al-Razzaz promised on Sunday to deepen a crackdown on the country’s rampant tax evasion.
Nightclubs and discos in Bulgaria will be allowed to reopen, just three days after all indoor bars were ordered to shut and despite a continuing rise in coronavirus cases in the country.Nightclubs and discos in Bulgaria will be allowed to reopen, just three days after all indoor bars were ordered to shut and despite a continuing rise in coronavirus cases in the country.
Lebanon has recorded a new infection high, as the health ministry said a total of 166 new cases had been confirmed in the last 24 hours.Lebanon has recorded a new infection high, as the health ministry said a total of 166 new cases had been confirmed in the last 24 hours.
That’s all from me, my colleague Helen Sullivan is going to take over now.That’s all from me, my colleague Helen Sullivan is going to take over now.
Brazil, the country second-worst affected by coronavirus after the United States, registered 631 new deaths on Sunday, with a new total of 1,864,681 confirmed cases, according to the health ministry.Brazil, the country second-worst affected by coronavirus after the United States, registered 631 new deaths on Sunday, with a new total of 1,864,681 confirmed cases, according to the health ministry.
Brazil now has an official total of 72,100 deaths, the ministry said.Brazil now has an official total of 72,100 deaths, the ministry said.
The numbers of deaths and cases are usually lower on the weekend because of patchy or delayed reporting.The numbers of deaths and cases are usually lower on the weekend because of patchy or delayed reporting.
Experts say the true totals are likely far higher due to a lack of testing.Experts say the true totals are likely far higher due to a lack of testing.
A French expert warned on Sunday that there was little chance of a 100-percent effective coronavirus vaccine by 2021, and urged people to take social distancing measures more seriously.A French expert warned on Sunday that there was little chance of a 100-percent effective coronavirus vaccine by 2021, and urged people to take social distancing measures more seriously.
“A vaccine is several years in development,” said epidemiologist Arnaud Fontanet, a member of the team of scientists advising the French government on the crisis, speaking on BFMTV television.“A vaccine is several years in development,” said epidemiologist Arnaud Fontanet, a member of the team of scientists advising the French government on the crisis, speaking on BFMTV television.
“Of course, there is an unprecedented effort to develop a vaccine, but I would be very surprised if we had that was effective in 2021,” he added.“Of course, there is an unprecedented effort to develop a vaccine, but I would be very surprised if we had that was effective in 2021,” he added.
While we would probably have one that worked partially, we were very far from the end of the crisis, he said.While we would probably have one that worked partially, we were very far from the end of the crisis, he said.
That being the case, “we have to live with this virus” he said.That being the case, “we have to live with this virus” he said.
“This summer, let’s respect physical distance, at least,” he said, stressing that large gatherings were the main threat.“This summer, let’s respect physical distance, at least,” he said, stressing that large gatherings were the main threat.
On Saturday, a DJ’s set on a beach in the Mediterranean resort of Nice in southern France drew thousands of people together, sparking a furious reaction on social media, AFP reports.On Saturday, a DJ’s set on a beach in the Mediterranean resort of Nice in southern France drew thousands of people together, sparking a furious reaction on social media, AFP reports.
Fontanet said the main risks for the appearance of new virus clusters were in confined spaces, such as on cruise ships, warships, sports halls, discos, slaughterhouses, accommodation housing migrant workers and places of worship.Fontanet said the main risks for the appearance of new virus clusters were in confined spaces, such as on cruise ships, warships, sports halls, discos, slaughterhouses, accommodation housing migrant workers and places of worship.
On Wednesday, the French government said it was preparing for a second wave of Covid-19, but rather than imposing another nationwide lockdown, they would use “targeted” measures such as stay-at-home orders or business closures.On Wednesday, the French government said it was preparing for a second wave of Covid-19, but rather than imposing another nationwide lockdown, they would use “targeted” measures such as stay-at-home orders or business closures.
Coronavirus infections in Texas rose by 8,196 to 258,658 in total on Sunday, the state health department said.Coronavirus infections in Texas rose by 8,196 to 258,658 in total on Sunday, the state health department said.
The US state recorded a further 80 deaths from Covid-19, bringing the overall death toll in Texas to 3,192.The US state recorded a further 80 deaths from Covid-19, bringing the overall death toll in Texas to 3,192.
Current hospitalisations in Texas rose by 327 to a new high of 10,410, a record high for the 14th day in a row.Current hospitalisations in Texas rose by 327 to a new high of 10,410, a record high for the 14th day in a row.
Texas governor Greg Abbott announced on Sunday that the US Department for Health and Human Services had extended federal support for community based testing sites in the cities of Dallas and Houston until the end of the month.Texas governor Greg Abbott announced on Sunday that the US Department for Health and Human Services had extended federal support for community based testing sites in the cities of Dallas and Houston until the end of the month.
A new report by Oxfam warns that the hunger crisis worsened by the pandemic could potentially kill more people each day than the infection itself, which has claimed more than half a million lives so far.A new report by Oxfam warns that the hunger crisis worsened by the pandemic could potentially kill more people each day than the infection itself, which has claimed more than half a million lives so far.
An estimated 12,000 people per day could die from hunger linked to Covid-19 by the end of the year, Oxfam said.An estimated 12,000 people per day could die from hunger linked to Covid-19 by the end of the year, Oxfam said.
By comparison, data from Johns Hopkins University shows that the pandemic’s deadliest day so far was 17 April, when 8,890 deaths were recorded, CNN reports.By comparison, data from Johns Hopkins University shows that the pandemic’s deadliest day so far was 17 April, when 8,890 deaths were recorded, CNN reports.
”The pandemic is the final straw for millions of people already struggling with the impacts of conflict, climate change, inequality and a broken food system that has impoverished millions of food producers and workers,” Oxfam’s interim executive director Chema Vera said in a release. “The pandemic is the final straw for millions of people already struggling with the impacts of conflict, climate change, inequality and a broken food system that has impoverished millions of food producers and workers,” Oxfam’s interim executive director Chema Vera said in a release.
Among the issues that have left many unable to put food on the table are lost income caused by unemployment or a reduction in remittance payments, the lack of social support for those who work in the informal economy, and disruptions to the supply chain and hurdles faced by producers.Among the issues that have left many unable to put food on the table are lost income caused by unemployment or a reduction in remittance payments, the lack of social support for those who work in the informal economy, and disruptions to the supply chain and hurdles faced by producers.
Also contributing to the crisis are the travel restrictions related to lockdowns, which impact not just workers and farmers, but also the delivery of humanitarian aid.Also contributing to the crisis are the travel restrictions related to lockdowns, which impact not just workers and farmers, but also the delivery of humanitarian aid.
In its briefing, Oxfam calls out food and beverage industry titans like Coca-Cola, Unilever, General Mills among others.In its briefing, Oxfam calls out food and beverage industry titans like Coca-Cola, Unilever, General Mills among others.
”Meanwhile, those at the top are continuing to make a profit: eight of the biggest food and drink companies paid out over $18 billion to shareholders since January even as the pandemic was spreading across the globe ― ten times more than the UN says is needed to stop people going hungry,” the release reads.”Meanwhile, those at the top are continuing to make a profit: eight of the biggest food and drink companies paid out over $18 billion to shareholders since January even as the pandemic was spreading across the globe ― ten times more than the UN says is needed to stop people going hungry,” the release reads.
Jordan’s prime minister Omar al-Razzaz promised on Sunday to deepen a crackdown on tax evasion that officials say has deprived the country’s cash-strapped economy of billions of dollars’ revenue in recent years.Jordan’s prime minister Omar al-Razzaz promised on Sunday to deepen a crackdown on tax evasion that officials say has deprived the country’s cash-strapped economy of billions of dollars’ revenue in recent years.
The government has gone after senior businessmen and former politicians suspected of tax dodging, money laundering and customs evasion in a weeks-long campaign that has gained greater urgency with the hit to state finances from the Covid-19 pandemic.The government has gone after senior businessmen and former politicians suspected of tax dodging, money laundering and customs evasion in a weeks-long campaign that has gained greater urgency with the hit to state finances from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Protecting public money and fighting corruption is a national duty,” Razzaz said in his weekly television address to the nation.“Protecting public money and fighting corruption is a national duty,” Razzaz said in his weekly television address to the nation.
Tax authorities have raided around 650 companies so far, according to officials who say this is the biggest campaign to combat tax evasion in decades.Tax authorities have raided around 650 companies so far, according to officials who say this is the biggest campaign to combat tax evasion in decades.
The government said it had frozen the assets of dozens of companies and businessmen on suspected tax evasion charges.The government said it had frozen the assets of dozens of companies and businessmen on suspected tax evasion charges.
It added that it would track offshore havens where wealthy Jordanians have long parked cash to avoid taxes.It added that it would track offshore havens where wealthy Jordanians have long parked cash to avoid taxes.
Some critics have accused the government of using the campaign to carry out a witch hunt against its political enemies, including some of Jordan’s leading business figures, including former ministers and senior politicians.Some critics have accused the government of using the campaign to carry out a witch hunt against its political enemies, including some of Jordan’s leading business figures, including former ministers and senior politicians.
Officials deny that, saying the goal is to ensure justice and that no one is above the law.Officials deny that, saying the goal is to ensure justice and that no one is above the law.
The government has been using its wider powers under a state of emergency since March to give prosecutors and the main anti-corruption agency greater powers, and stiffen penalties.The government has been using its wider powers under a state of emergency since March to give prosecutors and the main anti-corruption agency greater powers, and stiffen penalties.
A two-month coronavirus lockdown has crippled Jordanian businesses and slashed state revenues by tens of millions of dollars, leading to the sharpest economic contraction in two decades.A two-month coronavirus lockdown has crippled Jordanian businesses and slashed state revenues by tens of millions of dollars, leading to the sharpest economic contraction in two decades.
The government expects the economy to shrink by 3.5% this year, a far cry from an International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimate of 2% growth before the pandemic.The government expects the economy to shrink by 3.5% this year, a far cry from an International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimate of 2% growth before the pandemic.
A woman who spent three weeks at AS Green and Co farm in Herefordshire, England, the farm where at least 73 workers have tested positive for coronavirus, has spoken about her ordeal.A woman who spent three weeks at AS Green and Co farm in Herefordshire, England, the farm where at least 73 workers have tested positive for coronavirus, has spoken about her ordeal.
Here my colleague Matthew Weaver’s story.Here my colleague Matthew Weaver’s story.
A staff member involved in the preparation of the first executions of US federal prisoners in 17 years has tested positive for coronavirus, the Bureau of Prisons said on Sunday.A staff member involved in the preparation of the first executions of US federal prisoners in 17 years has tested positive for coronavirus, the Bureau of Prisons said on Sunday.
In a court filing, the bureau said the employee based at the justice department’s execution chamber in Terre Haute, Indiana, attended a meeting with outside law enforcement in preparation for the scheduled executions and another meeting on how to handle any demonstrators. He did not come into contact with members of the execution protocol team, the bureau said.In a court filing, the bureau said the employee based at the justice department’s execution chamber in Terre Haute, Indiana, attended a meeting with outside law enforcement in preparation for the scheduled executions and another meeting on how to handle any demonstrators. He did not come into contact with members of the execution protocol team, the bureau said.
The news comes two days after a US federal judge blocked the first execution, due to be carried out on Monday, after some of the victims’ relatives sued, saying they feared that attending could expose them to Covid-19.The news comes two days after a US federal judge blocked the first execution, due to be carried out on Monday, after some of the victims’ relatives sued, saying they feared that attending could expose them to Covid-19.
Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson ordered the justice department to delay the execution of Daniel Lewis Lee until it could show it was upholding the right of victims’ relatives to attend without risking their health. The justice department said it would appeal, Reuters reports.Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson ordered the justice department to delay the execution of Daniel Lewis Lee until it could show it was upholding the right of victims’ relatives to attend without risking their health. The justice department said it would appeal, Reuters reports.
Another prisons employee had previously tested positive for the virus, and has since recovered.Another prisons employee had previously tested positive for the virus, and has since recovered.
Lee’s scheduled death by lethal injection is one of four executions that had been scheduled for July and August. All four men were convicted of killing children.Lee’s scheduled death by lethal injection is one of four executions that had been scheduled for July and August. All four men were convicted of killing children.
Wesley Purkey’s execution was scheduled for Wednesday, but a federal appeals court issued a temporary stay this month and it was not clear whether it would proceed. Dustin Honken’s is set for Friday.Wesley Purkey’s execution was scheduled for Wednesday, but a federal appeals court issued a temporary stay this month and it was not clear whether it would proceed. Dustin Honken’s is set for Friday.
South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, says the country will immediately return to a ban on the sale of alcohol to reduce the volume of trauma patients so that hospitals have more beds to treat Covid-19 patients.
Confronted by surging hospitalisations due to the coronavirus, South Africa is also reinstating a night curfew to reduce traffic accidents and made it mandatory for all residents to wear face masks when in public, the Associated Press reports.
Ramaphosa said top health officials had warned of impending shortages of hospital beds and medical oxygen as South Africa reaches a peak of Covid-19 cases, expected between the end of July and September.
South Africa’s rapid increase in reported cases has made it one of the world’s centres for Covid-19, and it now ranks as the ninth worst affected country, according to Johns Hopkins University.
It has reported increases of more than 10,000 confirmed cases for several days, and the latest daily increase was nearly 13,500.
South Africa accounts for 40% of all the confirmed cases in Africa, with 264,184, including 3,971 deaths, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry confirmed it will be imposing a fine of 10,000 Saudi riyals ($2,666) for violators entering the holy sites in Mecca without a permit during the upcoming Hajj season, which will be held in a limited capacity this year due to the pandemic.
A statement from the kingdom’s interior ministry said the fine would come into effect from 19 July and stay in place until 2 August, al-Arabiya reports.
Saudi Arabia recorded 42 more deaths from Covid-19 and 2,779 new confirmed cases on Sunday.
Of the new cases, 247 were recorded in Riyadh, 191 in Jeddah, 164 in Hufof, 157 in Dammam and 157 in Makkah, Arab News reports.
The total number of recoveries in the kingdom increased to 167,138 after 1,742 more patients recovered from the virus.
A total of 2,223 people have died in the kingdom from Covid-19.
The Los Angeles Times has published a fascinating report on how California failed at successfully testing and tracing the state’s citizens when the outbreak began.
An investigation found that a lack of automation, human error and limiting eligibility criteria for getting tested slowed efforts down dramatically and contributed to a surge in infections that California is still struggling to get under control.
Read the full story here.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 3,236,130 cases of coronavirus on Sunday, an increase of 62,918 from its previous count, and said that the number of deaths had risen by 906 to 134,572.
The CDC reported its tally as of 4pm ET on 11 July versus its previous report a day earlier.
The Palestinian Authority on Sunday imposed a night-time and weekend curfew on the occupied West Bank for the coming 14 days to try to rein in rising coronavirus numbers.
“Travel will be prohibited daily from 8pm to 6am in all governorates,” as well as from Thursday evening to Sunday morning, Palestinian government spokesman Ibrahim Melhem told a news conference, according to Agence France-Presse.
In addition to the general dawn-to-dusk curfew, the cities of Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus and Bethlehem will be under total lockdown until Thursday evening, he said, while travel between districts will be banned for two weeks.
Only pharmacies and bakeries will be allowed to open.
“It is strictly forbidden to organise weddings, funerals and parties,” said Melhem, adding that Palestinians were also barred from going to work in Israeli settlements.
The West Bank is home to more than 2.8 million Palestinians and 450,000 Israelis.
In its daily report, the Palestinian health ministry said Sunday that there have so far been over 6,150 confirmed cases of Covid-19 infection, and 33 deaths.
The Palestinian Authority imposed a full West Bank lockdown after the first coronavirus cases were identified in early March, lifting it at the end of May.
It was reimposed on 3 July and since extended in light of the rising infection data.
In Israel, with a population of about 9 million, the number of confirmed infections was given on Sunday as more than 38,670, and 362 people have died.
Mexico’s death toll from the coronavirus pandemic is poised to overtake Italy’s and shoot above 35,000 on Sunday, according to Reuters data.
On Saturday Mexico recorded 539 additional fatalities to bring its coronavirus toll to 34,730, with 295,268 confirmed cases. Italy has recorded 34,945 deaths and 242,827 cases.
While Italy appears to have tamed the virus, the pandemic is showing no signs of slowing down in Mexico, where the government has faced accusations of reopening its economy too soon.
Mexican authorities have gradually raised the projections of total fatalities and as recently as June forecast up to 35,000 deaths through October. In early May, the estimate was 6,000.
The coronavirus death toll per million residents in Mexico, whose population numbers about 120 million, is the 16th highest in the world, according to data by research firm Statista. But Mexican officials say the true toll is likely much higher due to limited testing. A Reuters analysis of funeral homes data in May indicated a toll more than double the reported figures.
Hugo Lopez-Gatell, Mexico’s deputy health minister and coronavirus tsar, this week said the virus was “slowing down”. But several former officials have criticised president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s administration for its handling of the epidemic.
The former health minister Salomon Chertorivski said last week that the government had reopened the economy before globally established criteria for doing so had been met.
“There are three fundamental variables: a reduction in the last 14 days in the numbers of contagions, reduction in recent days in the number of deaths, and reduction in the number of hospitalised people,” Chertorivski told Mexican newspaper Reforma. “None of those three parameters were achieved.”
Jordan’s King Abdullah II said Sunday that his country had brought coronavirus under control and that it was time to focus on restarting the economy.
“We have successfully dealt with the coronavirus, which today is under control in Jordan,” he said during a meeting with prominent Jordanians. “But like every country in the world we have paid an economic price, and the time has come to focus … on the economic situation,” a palace statement quoted him as saying.
The desert kingdom, which has recorded 1,179 cases of the virus including 10 deaths, imposed a tough curfew enforced with drones to curb the spread of Covid-19, before easing policies in early June.
King Abdullah said Jordan would “come out stronger [from the crisis] compared to other countries in the region,” AFP reports.
Health authorities have almost daily been reporting new cases among Jordanians and foreigners entering the country.
They have also maintained social distancing measures, made face masks compulsory in most public places and required newly arrived travellers to wear electronic bracelets to ensure that they observe quarantine.
Before the coronavirus struck, Jordan hosted 5 million tourists a year, including at famous sites like Petra and Wadi Rum, bringing in $5bn last year.
But the vital sector, which employed 100,000 people, has been battered by the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown restrictions.
King Abdullah acknowledged the impact of the crisis but said any decision to reopen would need to be “closely examined”.
The kingdom said last month it would start welcoming overseas visitors at its private hospitals, after a months-long pause.
Around quarter of a million people used to visit Jordan annually for medical treatment, bringing in $1.5bn a year, before the pandemic broke out.
Unemployment in Jordan hit 19.3% during the first quarter of 2020.
The government of Spain’s Catalonia region on Sunday ordered residents in and around the north-eastern city of Lleida to go back into home confinement as cases of coronavirus rose.
“The people must stay at home,” Alba Verges, a regional health official, told a news conference.
The area, with a population of more than 200,000, had already been ordered isolated from the rest of the region last weekend.
It marks the first time Spaniards have been confined to their homes since the country exited confinement on 21 June.
The move reimposes the strict conditions of the first confinement, which began in mid-March, allowing people in the affected area to leave their homes only to go to work, get medical treatment or purchase food and other necessities.
Gatherings of more than 10 people were also banned in and around Lleida.
Europe, still the most affected continent with 202,399 deaths from 2,828,270 cases, has seen a drastic drop in its daily number of new infections.
However, more than 70 new coronavirus clusters have now been identified in Spain, with the area around Lleida concerning the authorities the most.
The authorities have said the fresh outbreaks are linked to the movement of seasonal agricultural workers, who travelled to northern Spain to work on the fruit harvest.
In Catalonia’s capital, Barcelona, one hospital has recorded a jump in cases from 31 to 107 in the last week, according to the town hall.
Other clusters have been identified in the north-west regions of Galicia and the Basque country, were the country’s first regional elections since the onset of the pandemic were held on Sunday.
In Spain, mask-wearing is compulsory in closed public spaces as well as outside when it is not possible to maintain a social distance of one and a half metres.
But Catalonia strengthened its rules on Thursday, ordering masks to be worn even when the safety distance can be respected.
The Balearic archipelago will also strengthen its rules on the wearing of masks from Monday and other regions such as Andalusia and Aragon plan to follow suit.
However, in the tourism hotspots of Catalonia and the Balearic islands, swimmers, sunbathers and people taking part in sport are exempt from wearing a mask, AFP reports.
A team of researchers from King’s College London has found that people who have recovered from Covid-19 may lose their immunity to the disease within months, according to research suggesting the virus could reinfect people year after year, like common colds.
My colleague Ian Sample reports.