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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
(32 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
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. Meanwhile, Public Health England said the case for action on obesity has “never been stronger”, who today published a review of evidence which shows that being overweight remains one of the biggest risk factors in the battle against Covid-19. We reported on the confirmation of Vietnam’s first new coronavirus case in three months earlier. The 57-year-old man is now in a critical condition, according to state media.
This is the latest, courtesy of Reuters:
It comes after a British pilot, Stephen Cameron, 42, was discharged from a hospital last month after doctors said he was virus-free and healthy enough to return home to Scotland, following 68 days on a ventilator. He was thought to have been the country’s most critical Covid-19 patient.
The first responses given to a major coronavirus inquiry cite as key mistakes made by the government in its approach to the pandemic in England a lack of protective equipment, inadequate testing, and discharging people from hospitals into care homes.
Older people were “catastrophically let down” and many died before their time, according to a damning submission from the Age UK charity. It also described the initial policy of discharging the elderly from hospital into care settings without a Covid-19 test as a “terrible mistake”.
The British Medical Association said the government’s testing and tracing capabilities at the start of the crisis fell “far short” of what was needed and left the infection to “spread unchecked”, while the Unite union doctors group said the government had been slow and had “squandered” weeks of valuable time.
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. Meanwhile, Public Health England said the case for action on obesity has “never been stronger”, after publishing a review of evidence that shows why being overweight remains one of the biggest risk factors in the battle against Covid-19.
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.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.
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. 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.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. 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.
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.“ 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.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.“ 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.
Deafblind woman and sister verbally abused for lifting mask on trainDeafblind woman and sister verbally abused for lifting mask on train
A teenager was subjected to a verbal tirade after she briefly lifted her face covering on a train so her deafblind sister could read her lips.A teenager was subjected to a verbal tirade after she briefly lifted her face covering on a train so her deafblind sister could read her lips.
Karolina Pakenaite, who has Usher syndrome, was travelling to Southport with her 16-year-old sister, Saule, and guide dog when they were confronted by another passenger.Karolina Pakenaite, who has Usher syndrome, was travelling to Southport with her 16-year-old sister, Saule, and guide dog when they were confronted by another passenger.
Read the full report:Read the full report:
Health officials are urging visitors to a West Sussex pub to self-isolate after it was linked to 16 new coronavirus cases.Health officials are urging visitors to a West Sussex pub to self-isolate after it was linked to 16 new coronavirus cases.
Crawley Borough Council has urged everyone who has visited the Downsman pub between 8 and 18 July (excluding 16 July) to self-isolate for two weeks from the date of their last visit. Crawley borough council has urged everyone who has visited the Downsman pub between 8 and 18 July (excluding 16 July) to self-isolate for two weeks from the date of their last visit.
On 19 July, the pub posted on Facebook that it had taken the decision to temporarily close after two of its staff members tested positive for Covid-19.On 19 July, the pub posted on Facebook that it had taken the decision to temporarily close after two of its staff members tested positive for Covid-19.
“There are 16 confirmed cases of coronavirus with a link to the pub and while this is a relatively small number and may not be the definite source of infection for all these cases, we are asking people to take action to ensure the virus does not spread further,” says a statement on the councils’ website.“There are 16 confirmed cases of coronavirus with a link to the pub and while this is a relatively small number and may not be the definite source of infection for all these cases, we are asking people to take action to ensure the virus does not spread further,” says a statement on the councils’ website.
“West Sussex County Council Public Health and Public Health England are continuing to monitor the situation and will organise contact tracing for any further identified cases who may have visited the pub.” “West Sussex county council public health and Public Health England are continuing to monitor the situation and will organise contact tracing for any further identified cases who may have visited the pub.”
Greece will prioritise giving coronavirus vaccines to the elderly and high-risk groups if and when they become available, the country’s health minister has said.Greece will prioritise giving coronavirus vaccines to the elderly and high-risk groups if and when they become available, the country’s health minister has said.
“If and when a vaccine comes, we will prioritise those who must take it above all,” Vassilis Kikilias told Skai TV on Saturday.“If and when a vaccine comes, we will prioritise those who must take it above all,” Vassilis Kikilias told Skai TV on Saturday.
“Who is that? Our very aged fellow citizens, the very elderly, high-risk groups ... we will protect those in danger.”“Who is that? Our very aged fellow citizens, the very elderly, high-risk groups ... we will protect those in danger.”
He added that vaccines will not be compulsory but they will be “strongly recommended.”He added that vaccines will not be compulsory but they will be “strongly recommended.”
Greece has so far recorded 201 Covid-19 deaths and more than 4,100 infections.Greece has so far recorded 201 Covid-19 deaths and more than 4,100 infections.
Last month the country began progressively reopening its land borders to selective countries, before allowing mostly European flights to all its on 1 July.Last month the country began progressively reopening its land borders to selective countries, before allowing mostly European flights to all its on 1 July.
With a quarter of the nation’s economy dependent on tourism, the government has sought to reassure potential visitors they can safely vacation in Greece.With a quarter of the nation’s economy dependent on tourism, the government has sought to reassure potential visitors they can safely vacation in Greece.
More than 900,000 people entered the country after all its airports reopened, civil protection deputy minister Nikos Hardalias said this week.More than 900,000 people entered the country after all its airports reopened, civil protection deputy minister Nikos Hardalias said this week.
So far there have been nearly 300 confirmed infections among incoming travellers, mainly from the Balkans.So far there have been nearly 300 confirmed infections among incoming travellers, mainly from the Balkans.
Greece’s civil protection agency on Saturday announced that from 28 July, all air passengers from Bulgaria and Romania must have proof of having tested negative up to 72 hours before travel.Greece’s civil protection agency on Saturday announced that from 28 July, all air passengers from Bulgaria and Romania must have proof of having tested negative up to 72 hours before travel.
The mayor of Luton and two councillors have issued an apology after a photos emerged of them flouting lockdown regulations while attending a party.The mayor of Luton and two councillors have issued an apology after a photos emerged of them flouting lockdown regulations while attending a party.
Video footage and photos, first reported by the Telegraph (£), show mayor Tahir Malik and councillors Waheed Akbar and Asif Mahmood at a packed garden party on Tuesday with at least nine other men.Video footage and photos, first reported by the Telegraph (£), show mayor Tahir Malik and councillors Waheed Akbar and Asif Mahmood at a packed garden party on Tuesday with at least nine other men.
The images of the event were shared on Facebook, provoking outrage from residents who are potentially facing a local lockdown.The images of the event were shared on Facebook, provoking outrage from residents who are potentially facing a local lockdown.
Luton was placed on the government’s “area of intervention” list on Thursday, following an increase in Covid-19 cases.Luton was placed on the government’s “area of intervention” list on Thursday, following an increase in Covid-19 cases.
“Luton is suffering from coronavirus, with many residents who have lost family members in Luton specially [sic] BAME communities in LU4,” wrote resident Steve Harrison in a Facebook post. “But our elected members of the Luton Labour Party can behave anyway they like above the law.”“Luton is suffering from coronavirus, with many residents who have lost family members in Luton specially [sic] BAME communities in LU4,” wrote resident Steve Harrison in a Facebook post. “But our elected members of the Luton Labour Party can behave anyway they like above the law.”
In one photo, the mayor can be seen with his mask hanging below his face. In others the men can be seen eating together and chatting at close distance without gloves or masks.In one photo, the mayor can be seen with his mask hanging below his face. In others the men can be seen eating together and chatting at close distance without gloves or masks.
The three Labour councillors said in a statement to Luton Today: “We apologise unreservedly to the people of Luton for our breach of the lockdown rules.The three Labour councillors said in a statement to Luton Today: “We apologise unreservedly to the people of Luton for our breach of the lockdown rules.
“We attended what we believed was going to be a small socially distanced gathering, in line with the government guidelines.“We attended what we believed was going to be a small socially distanced gathering, in line with the government guidelines.
“During the course of the event, the arrival of additional guests meant the rules were breached.“During the course of the event, the arrival of additional guests meant the rules were breached.
“We should have left immediately, and it is a matter of sincere regret for each of us that we did not do so.“We should have left immediately, and it is a matter of sincere regret for each of us that we did not do so.
“It is all of our responsibility to follow the guidelines. We are sorry that we did not live up to the standards that are rightly expected of us.”“It is all of our responsibility to follow the guidelines. We are sorry that we did not live up to the standards that are rightly expected of us.”
New testing shortages hit California’s vulnerable hardest amid record Covid-19 infectionsNew testing shortages hit California’s vulnerable hardest amid record Covid-19 infections
As coronavirus cases surge, California is once again facing testing shortages and delays reminiscent of the first weeks of the pandemic in March. Those issues, healthcare providers say, are hurting the state’s most vulnerable first.As coronavirus cases surge, California is once again facing testing shortages and delays reminiscent of the first weeks of the pandemic in March. Those issues, healthcare providers say, are hurting the state’s most vulnerable first.
This week, California marked record numbers of Covid-19 cases and deaths, with more than 12,800 new cases on Tuesday and 159 deaths on Thursday. With medical centres and testing sites overwhelmed, supply shortages have left Californians in some counties waiting more than a week for an appointment to get tested, and and even longer while labs process their results.This week, California marked record numbers of Covid-19 cases and deaths, with more than 12,800 new cases on Tuesday and 159 deaths on Thursday. With medical centres and testing sites overwhelmed, supply shortages have left Californians in some counties waiting more than a week for an appointment to get tested, and and even longer while labs process their results.
Maanvi Singh in Oakland has the full report:Maanvi Singh in Oakland has the full report:
Xavi Hernandez tests positive for Covid-19Xavi Hernandez tests positive for Covid-19
The former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez has tested positive for coronavirus, his Qatari club Al-Sadd has announced, adding he would miss their league restart fixture against Al-Khor.The former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez has tested positive for coronavirus, his Qatari club Al-Sadd has announced, adding he would miss their league restart fixture against Al-Khor.
Xavi, 40, recently quashed rumours that he was preparing to move back to Barcelona and signed on for another season at the helm of the Qatari top-flight side.Xavi, 40, recently quashed rumours that he was preparing to move back to Barcelona and signed on for another season at the helm of the Qatari top-flight side.
“A few days ago, following the Qatar Stars League protocol, I tested positive in the last Covid-19 test,” Xavi said in a post on Al-Sadd’s twitter account on Saturday.“A few days ago, following the Qatar Stars League protocol, I tested positive in the last Covid-19 test,” Xavi said in a post on Al-Sadd’s twitter account on Saturday.
“Fortunately, I’m feeling OK, but I will be isolated until I am given the all-clear. When the health services allow it, I will be very eager to return to my daily routine and to work.”“Fortunately, I’m feeling OK, but I will be isolated until I am given the all-clear. When the health services allow it, I will be very eager to return to my daily routine and to work.”
Almost 4% of Qatar’s 2.75m people have had coronavirus, with 108,638 cases reported since the start of the pandemic giving the tiny Gulf state one of the highest per capita total infection rates.Almost 4% of Qatar’s 2.75m people have had coronavirus, with 108,638 cases reported since the start of the pandemic giving the tiny Gulf state one of the highest per capita total infection rates.
However the gas-rich country has reported just 164 deaths meaning it has one of the world’s lowest virus death rates and 105,420 people have recovered from Covid-19, according to official statistics.However the gas-rich country has reported just 164 deaths meaning it has one of the world’s lowest virus death rates and 105,420 people have recovered from Covid-19, according to official statistics.
“Today I won’t be able to join my team on their comeback to the official competition,” added Xavi referring to Al-Sadd’s clash against rivals Al-Khor due to get underway at 4pm on Saturday.“Today I won’t be able to join my team on their comeback to the official competition,” added Xavi referring to Al-Sadd’s clash against rivals Al-Khor due to get underway at 4pm on Saturday.
It is Al-Sadd’s first outing since the Qatari league was suspended in March to stem the spread of the virus.It is Al-Sadd’s first outing since the Qatari league was suspended in March to stem the spread of the virus.
Poland has 584 new Covid-19 cases, the country’s ministry of health tweeted on Saturday morning:Poland has 584 new Covid-19 cases, the country’s ministry of health tweeted on Saturday morning:
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?
Covid-19 has spread around the planet, sending billions of people into lockdown as health services struggle to cope.
Find out where the virus has spread, and where it has been most deadly, using this map:
For those of you joining us from the UK, check out the following map to see the picture near you:
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.”
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
“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.
“Every member of the public has a supporting role to play as we await that momentous breakthrough.”