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Coronavirus live news: UK 'will never know true death toll'; Bolsonaro announces negative test Coronavirus live news: UK 'will never know true death toll'; Bolsonaro announces negative test
(32 minutes later)
Johnny Depp’s in-person court case ‘galling’; Germany may introduce compulsory testing; funeral fees rise in Great BritainJohnny Depp’s in-person court case ‘galling’; Germany may introduce compulsory testing; funeral fees rise in Great Britain
Chief Justice John Roberts again sided with the liberals on the US supreme court on Friday, as it denied a rural Nevada church’s request to strike down a 50-person cap on worship services as part of the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Associated Press reports.
Roberts, a conservative appointed by George W Bush, has sided with the four liberal justices on recent rulings regarding abortion, immigration and LGBTQ+ rights. Observers have pointed to his votes in other cases while cautioning that he has not necessarily changed his stripes.
In a 5-4 decision on Friday, the court refused to grant a request from Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley, east of Reno, to be subjected to the same Covid-19 restrictions that allow casinos, restaurants and other businesses to operate at 50% of capacity with proper social distancing.
The church argued that a hard cap on religious gatherings was an unconstitutional violation of first amendment rights to express and exercise beliefs.
Roberts did not explain his vote. Three justices wrote strongly worded dissenting opinions on behalf of the four other conservatives who said they would have granted injunctive relief while the court fully considers the merits of the case.
Justice Samuel Alito said that by allowing thousands to gather in casinos the state cannot claim to have a compelling interest in limiting religious gatherings to 50 people – regardless of the size of the facility and measures adopted to prevent the spread of the virus.
“That Nevada would discriminate in favor of the powerful gaming industry and its employees may not come as a surprise, but this court’s willingness to allow such discrimination is disappointing,” Alito wrote in a dissent joined by Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh.
“We have a duty to defend the constitution, and even a public health emergency does not absolve us of that responsibility. The constitution guarantees the free exercise of religion. It says nothing about freedom to play craps or blackjack, to feed tokens into a slot machine or to engage in any other game of chance.”
TV stations across the US owned by Sinclair Television will this weekend run an interview with a conspiracy theorist who claims baselessly that Dr Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease expert, created the coronavirus behind the current pandemic, my colleagues Martin Pengelly and Oliver Milman report.
Dr Judy Mikovits, a former research scientist, is behind the widely discredited Plandemic video, which makes a string of false and outlandish claims including that any coronavirus vaccine will kill millions and that beaches should not be closed because the sand and ocean will somehow treat Covid-19.
Fauci is the 79-year-old director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. He has served six presidents but US president Donald Trump has sought to keep him off television, called him “alarmist” and frequently undermined his work.
Full story below.
My colleague Rob Davies has written a report on the patchy recovery from lockdown that restaurants and pubs in England continue to face, three weeks after pubs, bars and restaurants in England were allowed to reopen.My colleague Rob Davies has written a report on the patchy recovery from lockdown that restaurants and pubs in England continue to face, three weeks after pubs, bars and restaurants in England were allowed to reopen.
Three in five restaurants and around half of all pubs are still closed, and small, cosy, independent venues in town and city centres face a particularly grim future.Three in five restaurants and around half of all pubs are still closed, and small, cosy, independent venues in town and city centres face a particularly grim future.
Wales has recorded no new coronavirus deaths for the fifth time this week, Public Health Wales (PHW) said on Saturday, announcing that the number of deaths with lab-confirmed Covid-19 since the outbreak began remained at 1,548.Wales has recorded no new coronavirus deaths for the fifth time this week, Public Health Wales (PHW) said on Saturday, announcing that the number of deaths with lab-confirmed Covid-19 since the outbreak began remained at 1,548.
There have now been no new deaths reported by the NHS trust on 11 days this month, WalesOnline reports.There have now been no new deaths reported by the NHS trust on 11 days this month, WalesOnline reports.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean no-one died with the virus on those specific dates as it can take several days for a death to be logged officially.However, this doesn’t necessarily mean no-one died with the virus on those specific dates as it can take several days for a death to be logged officially.
Meanwhile, PHW has said the number of lab-confirmed positive cases of coronavirus in Wales has increased by 30 to bring the total to 17,105.Meanwhile, PHW has said the number of lab-confirmed positive cases of coronavirus in Wales has increased by 30 to bring the total to 17,105.
Wrexham recorded the most positive cases with 11, followed by the capital Cardiff and Flintshire with four each.Wrexham recorded the most positive cases with 11, followed by the capital Cardiff and Flintshire with four each.
Despite testing capacity standing at 15,000 each day in Wales, only 5,865 were used on Friday, 24 July.Despite testing capacity standing at 15,000 each day in Wales, only 5,865 were used on Friday, 24 July.
Storm Hanna, the first hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic season, was forecast to make landfall on the Texas coast on Saturday, threatening one of the nation’s Covid-19 hot spots with storm surge and flooding.Storm Hanna, the first hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic season, was forecast to make landfall on the Texas coast on Saturday, threatening one of the nation’s Covid-19 hot spots with storm surge and flooding.
Hanna was about 75 miles (120 km) east-northeast of Port Mansfield, Texas, packing maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour, the US National Hurricane Center said on Saturday morning.Hanna was about 75 miles (120 km) east-northeast of Port Mansfield, Texas, packing maximum sustained winds of 80 miles per hour, the US National Hurricane Center said on Saturday morning.
“Additional strengthening is forecast before Hanna makes landfall later today,” the Miami-based forecaster said, adding that the hurricane will rapidly weaken after it moves inland.“Additional strengthening is forecast before Hanna makes landfall later today,” the Miami-based forecaster said, adding that the hurricane will rapidly weaken after it moves inland.
Video footage on Twitter of Port Aransas in Nueces County, Texas showed gray skies and lashing waves that had already engulfed a beach ahead of the storm’s landfall.Video footage on Twitter of Port Aransas in Nueces County, Texas showed gray skies and lashing waves that had already engulfed a beach ahead of the storm’s landfall.
The storm was projected to hit the coast between Corpus Christi and Brownsville, a region that has struggled to contain outbreaks of coronavirus in recent weeks.The storm was projected to hit the coast between Corpus Christi and Brownsville, a region that has struggled to contain outbreaks of coronavirus in recent weeks.
Cases along the state’s coast have soared into the tens of thousands, and more than 400 people in Corpus Christi’s city of 325,000 were hospitalised with the novel coronavirus on Friday, according to city data.Cases along the state’s coast have soared into the tens of thousands, and more than 400 people in Corpus Christi’s city of 325,000 were hospitalised with the novel coronavirus on Friday, according to city data.
On Friday, residents in several Texas communities in Kleberg County, south of Corpus Christi, were urged to evacuate their homes ahead of Hanna’s arrival, according to Reuters.On Friday, residents in several Texas communities in Kleberg County, south of Corpus Christi, were urged to evacuate their homes ahead of Hanna’s arrival, according to Reuters.
Corpus Christi mayor Joe McComb warned residents who live in flood-prone areas to heed coronavirus precautions when deciding to evacuate, the Texas Tribune reported.Corpus Christi mayor Joe McComb warned residents who live in flood-prone areas to heed coronavirus precautions when deciding to evacuate, the Texas Tribune reported.
“Take several masks with you because you might be there a couple days if you’re in a flood area,” McComb said, according to the Tribune.“Take several masks with you because you might be there a couple days if you’re in a flood area,” McComb said, according to the Tribune.
“We don’t want to expose anyone during this storm. ... Even when you’re in the house, I recommend wearing a mask if you’re in crowded conditions.”“We don’t want to expose anyone during this storm. ... Even when you’re in the house, I recommend wearing a mask if you’re in crowded conditions.”
Hanna will be the second named storm this season to make landfall along the US Gulf of Mexico, after Tropical Storm Cristobal, which hit Louisiana in early June.Hanna will be the second named storm this season to make landfall along the US Gulf of Mexico, after Tropical Storm Cristobal, which hit Louisiana in early June.
Hanna could bring a life-threatening storm surge and flash flooding, with up to 15 inches of rain in pockets of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico.Hanna could bring a life-threatening storm surge and flash flooding, with up to 15 inches of rain in pockets of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico.
Hello, I’m taking over from my colleague Aaron for the next few hours. As always, feel free to contact me if you have any relevant updates to share, you can get me on Twitter @JedySays or via email.Hello, I’m taking over from my colleague Aaron for the next few hours. As always, feel free to contact me if you have any relevant updates to share, you can get me on Twitter @JedySays or via email.
The UK will never know the true figure of how many people died from coronavirus due to the lack of testing at the outset of the crisis, according to a scientist on the government’s Sage advisory board.The UK will never know the true figure of how many people died from coronavirus due to the lack of testing at the outset of the crisis, according to a scientist on the government’s Sage advisory board.
Sir David Spiegelhalter, professor of the understanding of risk at the University of Cambridge, has said that Britain was “operating in the dark for so long” at the beginning of the pandemic.Sir David Spiegelhalter, professor of the understanding of risk at the University of Cambridge, has said that Britain was “operating in the dark for so long” at the beginning of the pandemic.
The professor was asked how long it will take to get an accurate statistical picture of the impact the virus has had on the UK during an online lecture held by the New Scientist on Saturday.The professor was asked how long it will take to get an accurate statistical picture of the impact the virus has had on the UK during an online lecture held by the New Scientist on Saturday.
His response, reported by the Telegraph (£), was as follows:His response, reported by the Telegraph (£), was as follows:
Speigelhalter said that the lack of testing from the offset affected the overall picture given to statisticians and modellers of what was happening in the community.Speigelhalter said that the lack of testing from the offset affected the overall picture given to statisticians and modellers of what was happening in the community.
“We were operating in the dark for so long without knowing how many people in the country had it,” he added.“We were operating in the dark for so long without knowing how many people in the country had it,” he added.
“If we had random sampling of testing much earlier on we would have had a much better idea of what was going on.”“If we had random sampling of testing much earlier on we would have had a much better idea of what was going on.”
Almost three-quarters of mothers in the UK have been forced to cut work hours because of childcare issues under Covid-19 lockdowns, according to a survey by a maternal rights group which warned more action was needed to protect women’s careers.Almost three-quarters of mothers in the UK have been forced to cut work hours because of childcare issues under Covid-19 lockdowns, according to a survey by a maternal rights group which warned more action was needed to protect women’s careers.
More than eight in 10 employed mothers said they needed childcare to be able to work, but fewer than half said they had enough childcare to let them do their job during the pandemic, showed the survey by Pregnant Then Screwed released on Saturday.More than eight in 10 employed mothers said they needed childcare to be able to work, but fewer than half said they had enough childcare to let them do their job during the pandemic, showed the survey by Pregnant Then Screwed released on Saturday.
“This lack of childcare is destroying women’s careers,” the campaign group’s founder and chief executive Joeli Brearley told Reuters news agency.“This lack of childcare is destroying women’s careers,” the campaign group’s founder and chief executive Joeli Brearley told Reuters news agency.
“They are being made redundant, they are being forced to cut their hours, and they are being treated negatively all because they are picking up the unpaid labour.”“They are being made redundant, they are being forced to cut their hours, and they are being treated negatively all because they are picking up the unpaid labour.”
Studies around the world have found women are picking up more of the extra chores and childcare during the pandemic.Studies around the world have found women are picking up more of the extra chores and childcare during the pandemic.
The International Labour Organization has warned coronavirus could wipe out “the modest progress” made on gender equality at work in recent decades, with women globally at greater risk of losing their jobs.The International Labour Organization has warned coronavirus could wipe out “the modest progress” made on gender equality at work in recent decades, with women globally at greater risk of losing their jobs.
Across Britain, schools and nurseries were ordered to close under lockdown, leaving many families struggling to balance work with childcare and home schooling responsibilities.Across Britain, schools and nurseries were ordered to close under lockdown, leaving many families struggling to balance work with childcare and home schooling responsibilities.
The Department for Education said it was working to ensure hard-hit nurseries and childcare providers in England stay afloat as they gradually re-open by “block-buying” childcare places for the rest of this year.The Department for Education said it was working to ensure hard-hit nurseries and childcare providers in England stay afloat as they gradually re-open by “block-buying” childcare places for the rest of this year.
“This will provide financial security to nurseries and childminders, meaning they can continue to provide the high quality childcare needed by parents as they return to work,” said a spokeswoman.“This will provide financial security to nurseries and childminders, meaning they can continue to provide the high quality childcare needed by parents as they return to work,” said a spokeswoman.
Many women also reported that they were losing their jobs entirely due to pregnancy or childcare issues during the lockdown, according to the survey of almost 20,000 pregnant women and mothers conducted online last week.Many women also reported that they were losing their jobs entirely due to pregnancy or childcare issues during the lockdown, according to the survey of almost 20,000 pregnant women and mothers conducted online last week.
Among those who were or expected to be made redundant during the pandemic, about half said they believed that their pregnancy or problems with childcare had played a role.Among those who were or expected to be made redundant during the pandemic, about half said they believed that their pregnancy or problems with childcare had played a role.
Black and ethic minority women were more likely to report that they were being made redundant, or expected to be, as a result of having children.Black and ethic minority women were more likely to report that they were being made redundant, or expected to be, as a result of having children.
Here are a few more photos of exercise enthusiasts flexing their muscles in public, in England’s indoor gyms and leisure centres, for the first time in months:Here are a few more photos of exercise enthusiasts flexing their muscles in public, in England’s indoor gyms and leisure centres, for the first time in months:
The head of the UK’s largest operator of leisure facilities has warned that gyms and leisure centres will be unable to dig themselves out of a “financial hole” caused by lockdown closures for around “two to three years”.The head of the UK’s largest operator of leisure facilities has warned that gyms and leisure centres will be unable to dig themselves out of a “financial hole” caused by lockdown closures for around “two to three years”.
Mark Sesnan, chief executive of social enterprise GLL, said “profit” is a word he “hasn’t heard in a while”.Mark Sesnan, chief executive of social enterprise GLL, said “profit” is a word he “hasn’t heard in a while”.
Speaking at the London aquatics centre and gym at its reopening on Saturday, he said:Speaking at the London aquatics centre and gym at its reopening on Saturday, he said:
The total number of people to have died after testing positive for Covid-19 in England’s hospitals has increased by 25 to 29,272, according to official figures.
The patients were aged between 52 and 93 years old and none had any underlying health conditions, according to NHS England.
The deaths took place in the following locations:
London: 9
Midlands: 7
North East & Yorkshire: 1
North West: 3
South East: 5
A further eight deaths have been reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.
Scotland has recorded 27 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in a day, according to the latest Scottish Government figures.
A total of 18,547 people have now tested positive for the virus in Scotland.
No deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19 have been recorded for nine consecutive days, meaning the toll remains at 2,491.
The percentage of people testing positive remains at 0.7%, the figures indicate, up 0.3% from Friday.
Here is a selection of photos from Wellington Boxing Academy in Telford, where fighters are dusting off their gloves for the first time in four months.
Another fitness fan is Peter Topping, who spoke to PA news agency as he queued up outside his local gym in Hexham this morning, keen to get back inside.
He said:
He said the Wentworth gym managed social distancing well, with a separate entrance and exit and other social distancing measures in place.
Shahzad Chaudhry was among a number of exercise enthusiasts across England to queue up outside their gyms this morning, as leisure centres and indoor pools reopened for the first time in four months.
The Londoner said he felt “very comfortable” returning, and told the PA news agency:
Johnny Depp’s libel trial has been described as “galling” by lawyers at a time when the criminal justice system is struggling with a massive backlog, and deeply sensitive cases are being handled remotely.
One barrister questioned why Depp’s case had been allowed to proceed in person at the high court in London when she was having to deal over the phone or by Skype with proceedings for a child at risk of being removed from their parents.
The backlog of cases waiting to be heard in England and Wales has rocketed to more than half a million during the coronavirus pandemic, prompting fears that victims may drop out of delayed prosecutions.
Read the full report here:
Germany may introduce compulsory coronavirus testing for holidaymakers returning from high-risk destinations after the number of new infections in the country hit a two-month high, the country’s health minister has announced.
Health minister, Jens Spahn, told Deutschlandfunk radio the government wanted to do everything possible to stem the spread of the virus while also respecting people’s basic rights.
“We are also checking whether it is legally possible to oblige someone to do a test, because it would be an encroachment on freedom,” Spahn said.
The minister, who is a senior member of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives, added that the courts were examining all coronavirus measures to ensure they were proportionate in light of their impact on basic rights.
On Friday, Spahn and his regional counterparts from Germany’s 16 federal states agreed that authorities would offer returning holidaymakers free tests on a voluntary basis.
Arrivals from countries designated as high-risk – which currently include the US, Brazil and Turkey – will be eligible for immediate tests, while arrivals from other places will be able to get tested within three days.
If a holidaymaker arriving home from a high-risk country tests negative they will not have to observe a 14-day quarantine, which is otherwise mandatory though it has been loosely enforced.
Germany has so far done a better job than many countries at containing the virus thanks to early and extensive testing.
However, video footage of unruly behaviour by some German tourists in Spain has raised concerns that holidaymakers are at increased risk of infection and could bring the virus home.
The number of new confirmed cases increased sharply on Friday to 815, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed, the biggest tally since mid-May. It remained high on Saturday with 781 new cases.
The World Health Organization reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Friday.
Families struggling to pay for funerals are facing rising prices across Great Britain, helping councils to net a £55m surplus from cremations and cemetery burials in 2019, the Observer has learned.
Surpluses are expected to rise significantly this year as a result of the Covid-19 death toll.
Figures from more than 160 authorities in England, Scotland and Wales, obtained under Freedom of Information requests and seen by the Observer, show an average rise in fees this year of £26 – twice the rate of inflation. The biggest increase was imposed by Trafford council, a hike of £131, from £704 to £835.
Read the full report:
The Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, has urged people to practise physical distancing during upcoming Muslim festivities following a reported surge in coronavirus infections in a major holy city, Reuters reports.
Muslims around the world mark the Eid al-Adha feast, due to start at the end of the month. This year, Saudi Arabia is to limit the number of domestic pilgrims attending haj to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Most Iranians are Shia Muslims, who also mark their most significant mourning ceremonies of Ashura in September.
“Let glorious festivities be held in mosques and religious centres by observing health protocols and social distancing,” Rouhani said.
“Let masks this year be part of the glorious mourning of Muharram,” Rouhani said, referring to Ashura, the 10th day of the lunar month of Muharram, when according to Islamic tradition Imam Hussein was killed in battle in 680.
The deputy health minister, Iraj Harirchi, also urged people not to visit the north-eastern holy city of Mashad, which he said has seen an increase of 300% in coronavirus cases over the last month.
Millions typically visit Mashad’s Imam Reza shrine, which is Iran*s largest Shia religious complex. Iran’s confirmed tally of coronavirus cases reached 288,839 on Saturday, with 15,485 deaths, according to the health ministry.
The Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, has announced that he has tested negative for coronavirus, after testing positive for the third time on Wednesday.
“Good morning everyone,” Bolsonaro wrote on Facebook after reporting that the test was negative. The controversial far-right figure, 65, did not reveal when he did the latest test, his fourth since initially declaring on 7 July that he had the virus.
Bolsonaro has repeatedly trivialised the pandemic and flouted physical distancing, even as Brazil became the second-worst-hit country after the US, with more than 84,000 deaths.