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Coronavirus live news: England's gyms and pools reopen; WHO reports highest one-day global rise Coronavirus live news: England's gyms and pools reopen; WHO reports highest one-day global rise
(30 minutes later)
WHO reports 284,196 new cases; Vietnam reports first case in three months; US records fourth day of 1,000-plus deathsWHO reports 284,196 new cases; Vietnam reports first case in three months; US records fourth day of 1,000-plus deaths
The number of new coronavirus cases in Ukraine has risen by 1,106 in 24 hours – the highest daily toll since 26 June, according to the health minister, Maksym Stepanov.
Reuters reports that the number of new daily infections has increased sharply in the past two months following the gradual lifting of restrictions that began in late-May.
Stepanov said that 205 people had been admitted to hospitals. “It means their lives are under threat and we have to understand that this disease is very serious,” he told an online briefing.
The total number of cases rose to 63,929, including 1,590 deaths, while 35,497 patients recovered as of 25 July.
Stepanov appealed to people to stick to rules aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.
Ukraine’s government this week extended a nationwide lockdown until 31 August, requiring people to wear masks and adhere to social distancing rules in restaurants and public places. At the same time, it will allow separate regions to ease the regime if warranted.
Ukraine’s central bank forecast a 6% slump in gross domestic product mainly due to coronavirus restrictions in 2020 compared with 3.2% growth last year.
Coronavirus world map: which countries have the most Covid-19 cases and deaths?
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This is Aaron Walawalkar in London here, steering you through the latest developments in the global coronavirus pandemic. Feel free to DM me any updates we should be covering on Twitter @AaronWala.
Thousands of people have been crammed into a baseball stadium in the Philippines, breaking social distancing rules despite coronavirus risks, after people wanting to return to their home provinces flooded a government transportation program.
Officials had reserved the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, in Manila, as a place to test people before transporting them back to their home provinces under a program to help people who had lost their jobs in the capital return to their families elsewhere.
Reuters reports that officials had planned for 7,500 people to arrive at the stadium from Friday, but were caught out when another 2,000 people who were not yet scheduled to travel headed there anyway.
“Because of the overflowing number of people, we can no longer control (the situation) and the relevance of social distancing had been diminished,” assistant secretary Joseph Encabo, who is overseeing the government’s transportation assistance program, told Reuters by phone.
Police were deployed to urge social distancing, but people, including the elderly, children and pregnant women, were seen in close contact with each other. Some were not wearing masks.
Many of those at the stadium had got stuck in the capital when it imposed one of the strictest and longest lockdowns in mid-March in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
That was eased at the start of June, allowing businesses to reopen in a limited capacity, but schools remain shut and mass gatherings are banned.
People must wear masks in public and observe one-metre social distancing, while children and the elderly are urged to stay at home.
Coronavirus cases have more than quadrupled since restrictions were eased to 78,412, with more than half of those in the capital and surrounding areas.
Among those at the stadium was Fred Marick Ukol, 40, who became stuck in Manila after his flight to Australia, where he had found work as a welder, was cancelled.
Referring to himself and fellow overseas Filipino workers, Ukol said:
Encabo said everybody at the stadium would undergo rapid testing for Covid-19 and must be cleared before being allowed to board the buses, sea vessels, and trains the government has prepared.
Huge anti-government demonstrations have erupted in Russia’s far east, as people defied coronavirus restrictions to protest against the arrest of a popular governor who was replaced by a Kremlin appointee who has never lived in the fraught region.Huge anti-government demonstrations have erupted in Russia’s far east, as people defied coronavirus restrictions to protest against the arrest of a popular governor who was replaced by a Kremlin appointee who has never lived in the fraught region.
The AFP news agency reports that residents of Khabarovsk, near the border with China, took to the streets en masse for the third Saturday in a row after governor Sergei Furgal was arrested by federal law enforcement and flown to Moscow on murder charges earlier this month.The AFP news agency reports that residents of Khabarovsk, near the border with China, took to the streets en masse for the third Saturday in a row after governor Sergei Furgal was arrested by federal law enforcement and flown to Moscow on murder charges earlier this month.
The running demonstrations have been some of the largest anti-government protests in Russia in years, which the Kremlin said this week were being fuelled by opposition activists outside Khabarovsk.The running demonstrations have been some of the largest anti-government protests in Russia in years, which the Kremlin said this week were being fuelled by opposition activists outside Khabarovsk.
Tens of thousands of residents marched through Khabarovsk waving the region’s flag, carrying banners and chanting slogans against President Vladimir Putin as passing cars honked their horns in support.Tens of thousands of residents marched through Khabarovsk waving the region’s flag, carrying banners and chanting slogans against President Vladimir Putin as passing cars honked their horns in support.
“We want our governor to be released because we believe he was very likely detained illegally,” said 24-year-old protester Alina Slepova.“We want our governor to be released because we believe he was very likely detained illegally,” said 24-year-old protester Alina Slepova.
Furgal was removed by federal officials “for their own purposes, not for the good of our region,” she told AFP.Furgal was removed by federal officials “for their own purposes, not for the good of our region,” she told AFP.
Demonstrators converged in front of the regional administrative building on Lenin square shouting “Freedom” and “Putin resign”.Demonstrators converged in front of the regional administrative building on Lenin square shouting “Freedom” and “Putin resign”.
Police wearing masks allowed the demonstrations to go ahead despite a ban on public gatherings as part of measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic.Police wearing masks allowed the demonstrations to go ahead despite a ban on public gatherings as part of measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
Hong Kong reported 133 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, according to Reuters – a record daily increase.Hong Kong reported 133 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, according to Reuters – a record daily increase.
Of these new cases, 126 are believed to be locally transmitted.Of these new cases, 126 are believed to be locally transmitted.
The Asian financial hub reported 123 new cases on Friday, after it extended strict social distancing measures this week.The Asian financial hub reported 123 new cases on Friday, after it extended strict social distancing measures this week.
Since late January, more than 2,000 people have been infected in Hong Kong, 18 of whom have died.Since late January, more than 2,000 people have been infected in Hong Kong, 18 of whom have died.
Wearing face masks became compulsory in a variety of public indoor spaces in England on Friday.Wearing face masks became compulsory in a variety of public indoor spaces in England on Friday.
As the Danish economist Esther Boserup once said: “Necessity is the mother of invention.”As the Danish economist Esther Boserup once said: “Necessity is the mother of invention.”
... And merchandise companies have invented a novel way to communicate your favourite pop-culture references, without needing to rely any longer on actual verbal interaction.... And merchandise companies have invented a novel way to communicate your favourite pop-culture references, without needing to rely any longer on actual verbal interaction.
Stuart Heritage rounds up some of the best and worst offerings...Stuart Heritage rounds up some of the best and worst offerings...
Indonesia reported 1,868 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, bringing the total to 97,286, data from the country’s Covid-19 task force showed.Indonesia reported 1,868 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, bringing the total to 97,286, data from the country’s Covid-19 task force showed.
The number of deaths related to Covid-19 rose by 49, bringing the total to 4,714.The number of deaths related to Covid-19 rose by 49, bringing the total to 4,714.
The UK government has announced plans to save around 150 grassroots music venues from insolvency while cashflow is limited for venues shuttered during the coronavirus pandemic.The UK government has announced plans to save around 150 grassroots music venues from insolvency while cashflow is limited for venues shuttered during the coronavirus pandemic.
The culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, released £2.25m for the sector from the overall £1.57bn fund announced on 5 July to shore up the arts in the UK.The culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, released £2.25m for the sector from the overall £1.57bn fund announced on 5 July to shore up the arts in the UK.
“Without our grassroots music venues, we wouldn’t have the Beatles, Adele or Elton John,” he said. “Nearly all our globally successful music stars started out at UK clubs and live music venues – and we must make sure those organisations weather the Covid storm.“Without our grassroots music venues, we wouldn’t have the Beatles, Adele or Elton John,” he said. “Nearly all our globally successful music stars started out at UK clubs and live music venues – and we must make sure those organisations weather the Covid storm.
Ben Beaumont-Thomas has the full report:Ben Beaumont-Thomas has the full report:
“We had a full entertainment team, and the schedule all worked out for this beautiful journey ... Little did I know it was going to be the most challenging contract I had taken so far.”“We had a full entertainment team, and the schedule all worked out for this beautiful journey ... Little did I know it was going to be the most challenging contract I had taken so far.”
Those are the words of Thomas Weber, 50, director of what is thought to be the last cruise before much of the world went into coronavirus lockdown.Those are the words of Thomas Weber, 50, director of what is thought to be the last cruise before much of the world went into coronavirus lockdown.
Sam Wollaston has the full report on what took place on board the MS Maasdam cruise ship in the weeks before it docked in San Diego in March, amid the global pandemic.Sam Wollaston has the full report on what took place on board the MS Maasdam cruise ship in the weeks before it docked in San Diego in March, amid the global pandemic.
The UK government has urged the public to help speed up the search for a coronavirus vaccine by signing up to participate in clinical studies.The UK government has urged the public to help speed up the search for a coronavirus vaccine by signing up to participate in clinical studies.
The business secretary, Alok Sharma, appealed for more volunteers to put themselves forward for vaccine trials in a column for the Daily Mail on Saturday.The business secretary, Alok Sharma, appealed for more volunteers to put themselves forward for vaccine trials in a column for the Daily Mail on Saturday.
“We are asking people to register to participate in important clinical studies, helping to speed up the search for a vaccine and to end the pandemic sooner,” he wrote.“We are asking people to register to participate in important clinical studies, helping to speed up the search for a vaccine and to end the pandemic sooner,” he wrote.
“As a government, we are backing every horse in the race to ensure the British public can be vaccinated against this disease as soon as possible.”“As a government, we are backing every horse in the race to ensure the British public can be vaccinated against this disease as soon as possible.”
Earlier this week, initial trials of a vaccine under development by Oxford University appeared to show their inoculation is safe and triggers an immune response. The result is very promising, but it is still too early to say whether it offers enough protection against the virus.Earlier this week, initial trials of a vaccine under development by Oxford University appeared to show their inoculation is safe and triggers an immune response. The result is very promising, but it is still too early to say whether it offers enough protection against the virus.
Sharma said: “Over the past few months, we have been cautiously and gradually reopening our economy, and it is fantastic to see so many shops, pubs, hairdressers, and other businesses taking necessary steps to keep customers and workers safe.Sharma said: “Over the past few months, we have been cautiously and gradually reopening our economy, and it is fantastic to see so many shops, pubs, hairdressers, and other businesses taking necessary steps to keep customers and workers safe.
“But we all know that the best way to defeat this disease once and for all, and really get our economy firing on all cylinders again so we can protect and create jobs, is by finding a safe and effective vaccine.”“But we all know that the best way to defeat this disease once and for all, and really get our economy firing on all cylinders again so we can protect and create jobs, is by finding a safe and effective vaccine.”
He added: “Volunteers can play their part by signing up at nhs.uk/researchcontact.He added: “Volunteers can play their part by signing up at nhs.uk/researchcontact.
“Every member of the public has a supporting role to play as we await that momentous breakthrough.”“Every member of the public has a supporting role to play as we await that momentous breakthrough.”
The ancient theatre of Epidaurus, renowned for its acoustics, has reopened for a limited number of open-air performances, and organisers planning a live-streamed event on Saturday for the first time in the Greek monument’s 2,300-year history.
Live concerts and events have been mostly cancelled in Greece this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic. But the culture ministry has allowed the Epidaurus theatre, in the southern Peloponnese, and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens to host performances under strict safety guidelines.
Here is a selection of photos of the spectacular Epidaurus theatre as it returned to use this week:
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Russia has increased by 5,871, according to official figures.
Data released by Russia’s coronavirus crisis response centre on Saturday also reveals there have been 146 more deaths from the disease.
The nation’s tally of infections now stands at 806,720, and the death toll has reached 13,192.
Singapore’s prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, has announced that he may delay his plans to step down as leader within the next two years due to the pandemic.
The 68-year-old said on Saturday that he may no longer be able to handover to a successor by the time he turns 70, as he had hoped.
“I had expressed a hope that I would be able to hand over by the time I celebrate my 70th birthday but I do not determine the path of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Lee, son of Singapore’s modern day founder, Lee Kuan Yew.
“A lot will depend on how events unfold and all I can say is I will see this through and I will hand over in good shape as soon as possible to the next team.”
Lee’s People’s Action party has ruled Singapore since independence in 1965.
More details are emerging on the recent spike in coronavirus cases in South Korea reported earlier today.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported 113 new cases on Saturday – the largest one-day increase since March.
Reuters reports that two South Korean military aircraft arrived in the country from Iraq on Friday, carrying 293 workers who were evacuated as cases swelled in the Middle Eastern country.
The KCDC deputy director, Kwon Jun-wook, said in a briefing on Saturday that 71 of those people were infected with Covid-19 and a further 11 people were being re-examined.
“It’s likely that there will be similar cases like this Iraq case anywhere in the world, and [South Korea] will repeat the same measure, so we urge people to factor that in when looking at figures of the confirmed cases,” Kwon said.
A large number of crew members on a Russian ship have also tested positive, Kwon said.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Bulgaria passed 10,000 on Saturday, Reuters reports.
The Balkan country reported 270 infections in the past 24 hours, official data shows.
Eight people had died from the virus overnight, taking the official death toll to 337.
Total infections stand at 10,123. Some 5,252 people have recovered, data from the official coronavirus information platform showed.
Hello, it’s Aaron Walawalkar in London here, taking over on our global coronavirus liveblog from my colleague Elias Visontay. Please feel free to DM me your updates on Twitter @AaronWala.
This morning, England’s gyms and indoor pools are reopening for the first time in four months in the latest easing of lockdown measures. But at least a third of public facilities are expected to remain shut due to financial hardship.
Earlier this month, the culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, announced that gyms and leisure centres would be able to reopen from 25 July, with strict hygiene and social-distancing measures.
Community Leisure UK, the members’ association that specialises in representing charitable leisure and culture trusts across England, Scotland and Wales, estimated that 48% of all public leisure facilities face closure, meaning as many as 1,300 could disappear by the end of the year, along with more than 58,000 jobs.
The reopening of leisure centres comes as Public Health England said the case for action on obesity has “never been stronger”, who today publish a review of evidence which shows that being overweight remains one of the biggest risk factors in the battle against Covid-19. My colleague Haroon Siddique has the full report.
South Australia has recorded no new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday.
While the state has recorded 447 cases since the pandemic began, there are only two active cases currently.
Next week, the state will introduce tighter restrictions for residents wanting to return home from Victoria, where the wide-scale lockdowns are in place.
Seeing as aged care seems to the focus of both the Victorian and federal government’s attention today, here is an important read from my colleagues Gay Alcorn and Matilda Boseley.
They write that the disaster unfolding in Victoria’s aged care homes was “absolutely foreseeable” according to one of the country’s foremost experts in aged care says, who looks at the sector’s issues with poorly trained workers who are often underpaid.
Earlier today the Australian health minister, Greg Hunt, announced a Victorian aged care response centre. This AAP report explains a bit more about what the centre will do:
Here’s where we stand right now:
The United States recorded over 1,000 deaths for the fourth day in a row. It is the first four-day streak since early June.
Mexico reported 7,573 new cases. There were also 737 deaths, as the government warns the real number of infections is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases
Victoria recorded 357 new cases and five deaths. Health officials say the number of new cases every day is stubborn, but there has been some stability, amid dozens of clusters in aged care facilities and food distribution facilities across the state.
New South Wales reported 15 new cases. Eight are associated with the Thai Rock restaurant cluster. One case is under investigation. Six are returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
Germany reported 781 new cases.
South Korea reported 113 new cases. The highest number of new cases since March. Of the new cases, 86 were imported and 27 were domestic infections.
Vietnam reports first local case in three months. Vietnam’s health ministry said that a 57-year-old man from Danang, a popular tourist hotspot, had tested positive three times for the virus, prompting the isolation of 50 people he came in contact with.
The WHO reported the greatest single-day increase in global cases yet seen, with the total rising by 284,196 in 24 hours. The biggest increases were from the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa, according to a daily report.