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Coronavirus live news: Australia suffers deadliest day as Japan lifts ban on foreign re-entry Coronavirus live news: Australia suffers deadliest day as Japan lifts ban on foreign re-entry
(32 minutes later)
Brazil reports nearly 70,000 new infections overnight; Scaled-down hajj begins in coronavirus era – in pictures; France sees highest new daily cases in a month. Follow the latest updatesBrazil reports nearly 70,000 new infections overnight; Scaled-down hajj begins in coronavirus era – in pictures; France sees highest new daily cases in a month. Follow the latest updates
Australia has reported a record rise in coronavirus infections and deaths, with the state of Victoria announcing more than 700 new cases and 13 deaths, as the state continues to battle significant outbreaks in the aged care sector and among healthcare workers. It comes as global cases passed 17m, after five of the last seven days saw one-day jumps of more than 250,000 new infections.
The United States meanwhile, which continues to have by far the highest number of cases and deaths, passed 150,000 fatalities late on Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University figures.
Brazil’s outbreak set a national daily record on Wednesday with 69,074 new confirmed cases and 1,595 related deaths.
Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has warned the city is on the brink of a large-scale outbreak and urged people to stay indoors as much as possible as strict new measures take effect.
In New Zealand, a 32-year-old man has been arrested after attempting to escape a managed quarantine facility.
In Saudi Arabia, a scaled-down hajj has begun. This year, for the first time in modern history, Saudi officials have drastically restricted the number of pilgrims allowed to participate and enforced strict new health measures. Just 10,000 Muslims, all already inside the kingdom, are being allowed to perform the hajj – 0.4% of last year’s 2.5 million attendees from across the globe.
Morning, I will be updating the global blog this morning. As ever, please send me stories, tips and anything you feel we should be covering to nazia.parveen@theguardian.com or DM me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NParveenG
Thursday briefing: Home schooling burden fell to women
Women spent more than twice as much time as men on their children’s home schooling and development during the UK lockdown, according to the first academic study on the subject. Surveys by University College London (UCL) researchers found women across several age groups bore the brunt of childcare and home schooling, while those with primary school-aged children “were considerably more likely” to have given up working than fathers with children of the same age.
People with coronavirus symptoms may be asked to isolate for an extra three days, for a total of 10 days, after government scientists raised concern about a steady rise in the number of cases in the UK, as parts of Europe see significant spikes. The Guardian understands this takes into account developing science on the virus’s incubation period and how long it remains contagious. On Wednesday, the government’s official dashboard showed 83 deaths associated with Covid-19 and 763 newly lab-confirmed infections and there appears to have been a slight rise in infections as lockdown restrictions have eased:
France’s economic slump may not be quite as bad as forecast and activity in the euro zone’s second biggest economy could return to pre-crisis levels in early 2022, the central bank governor has said.Reuters reports that Francois Villeroy de Galhau told Paris Match magazine that President Emmanuel Macron’s government must spend wisely to rebuild trust in the economy. Household and private sector confidence were the key to a relatively swift recovery, he said.“Our forecasts predict a 10% fall in GDP this year: it may be a little better, with a strong rebound afterwards to hopefully regain a pre-Covid level of activity at the start of 2022,” Villeroy said in the interview published on Thursday.The government availed a crisis package worth €137bn, or more than 6% of gross domestic product, to cushion the immediate impact of the epidemic and also committed to guarantee 300 billion euros in bank loans to help keep firms afloat.France’s economic slump may not be quite as bad as forecast and activity in the euro zone’s second biggest economy could return to pre-crisis levels in early 2022, the central bank governor has said.Reuters reports that Francois Villeroy de Galhau told Paris Match magazine that President Emmanuel Macron’s government must spend wisely to rebuild trust in the economy. Household and private sector confidence were the key to a relatively swift recovery, he said.“Our forecasts predict a 10% fall in GDP this year: it may be a little better, with a strong rebound afterwards to hopefully regain a pre-Covid level of activity at the start of 2022,” Villeroy said in the interview published on Thursday.The government availed a crisis package worth €137bn, or more than 6% of gross domestic product, to cushion the immediate impact of the epidemic and also committed to guarantee 300 billion euros in bank loans to help keep firms afloat.
After the summer break, it will present a €100bn stimulus package to propel the recovery.After the summer break, it will present a €100bn stimulus package to propel the recovery.
There are currently 17,029,155 known coronavirus cases worldwide, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker, and 667,011 deaths.There are currently 17,029,155 known coronavirus cases worldwide, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker, and 667,011 deaths.
Five of the last seven days saw one-day case jumps of more than 250,000, with three of those over 280,000. The global one-day case record was set on 22 July with 281,500 cases and broken just a day later with 282,800 cases.Five of the last seven days saw one-day case jumps of more than 250,000, with three of those over 280,000. The global one-day case record was set on 22 July with 281,500 cases and broken just a day later with 282,800 cases.
Women spent more than twice as much time as men on their children’s home schooling and development during the UK’s coronavirus lockdown, according to the first academic study to measure how parents responded while schools and nurseries were closed to most families:Women spent more than twice as much time as men on their children’s home schooling and development during the UK’s coronavirus lockdown, according to the first academic study to measure how parents responded while schools and nurseries were closed to most families:
Sarah Whitehead reports for the Guardian:Sarah Whitehead reports for the Guardian:
‘Working in ICU is like flying a plane’: the secret world of intensive care‘Working in ICU is like flying a plane’: the secret world of intensive care
In early March, Mike Brunner, an intensive care doctor at Northwick Park hospital in north London, saw his first few Covid-19 patients. They were arriving with mild coughs, but just hours later were relying on oxygen tanks to breathe, their lungs on the brink of collapse. Within days, three patients became seven, then 20, and from then on, said Brunner, “we were in it”.In early March, Mike Brunner, an intensive care doctor at Northwick Park hospital in north London, saw his first few Covid-19 patients. They were arriving with mild coughs, but just hours later were relying on oxygen tanks to breathe, their lungs on the brink of collapse. Within days, three patients became seven, then 20, and from then on, said Brunner, “we were in it”.
For a while, Brunner felt as if he and his colleagues were the only ones who saw the huge change coming. “We could see this tsunami of people coming at us, and yet nobody else did,” said Brunner. Driving through London on his way to work, past people crowded together in shops and pubs and cafes, he felt as if no one understood that very soon life was not going to be the same. “It was an incredibly lonely feeling,” he said.For a while, Brunner felt as if he and his colleagues were the only ones who saw the huge change coming. “We could see this tsunami of people coming at us, and yet nobody else did,” said Brunner. Driving through London on his way to work, past people crowded together in shops and pubs and cafes, he felt as if no one understood that very soon life was not going to be the same. “It was an incredibly lonely feeling,” he said.
Stepping on to the ICU during this period was like entering another world. In a way, Brunner said, intensive care has always seemed like a place removed from life outside. The ward itself is hidden away behind closed doors, and inside, the only sound is the gentle, regular beeping of machines. “Because of all the machinery and complicated language we use, it has a unique atmosphere,” said Brunner. “It can be quite intimidating.”Stepping on to the ICU during this period was like entering another world. In a way, Brunner said, intensive care has always seemed like a place removed from life outside. The ward itself is hidden away behind closed doors, and inside, the only sound is the gentle, regular beeping of machines. “Because of all the machinery and complicated language we use, it has a unique atmosphere,” said Brunner. “It can be quite intimidating.”
Vietnam imposed more coronavirus restrictions Thursday as an outbreak that started in a popular beach resort destination grew with nine new cases, AP reports. Eight of the new infections were detected in the virus hot spot of Da Nang and another was confirmed in the capital Hanoi in a man who had returned from the coastal city, the health ministry said.The outbreak has spread from Da Nang in central Vietnam to 5 other cities and provinces with 43 cases since the weekend, and Vietnam is intensifying protective measures across the country.Vietnam imposed more coronavirus restrictions Thursday as an outbreak that started in a popular beach resort destination grew with nine new cases, AP reports. Eight of the new infections were detected in the virus hot spot of Da Nang and another was confirmed in the capital Hanoi in a man who had returned from the coastal city, the health ministry said.The outbreak has spread from Da Nang in central Vietnam to 5 other cities and provinces with 43 cases since the weekend, and Vietnam is intensifying protective measures across the country.
Dak Lak province starting Thursday morning is reimposing social distancing, closing nonessential services and banning public gathering of more than 20 people.Da Nang’s neighbors, the coastal provinces of Quang Nam and Quang Ngai, have closed their beaches and limited businesses that can open.Another popular tourist destination Hoi An old town, near Da Nang, is also reimposing social distancing.Hanoi city authorities have cancelled public events and will close down bars and clubs from Thursday. It also plans testing of some 21,000 people who returned from Da Nang before the coastal resort was locked down Tuesday.Dak Lak province starting Thursday morning is reimposing social distancing, closing nonessential services and banning public gathering of more than 20 people.Da Nang’s neighbors, the coastal provinces of Quang Nam and Quang Ngai, have closed their beaches and limited businesses that can open.Another popular tourist destination Hoi An old town, near Da Nang, is also reimposing social distancing.Hanoi city authorities have cancelled public events and will close down bars and clubs from Thursday. It also plans testing of some 21,000 people who returned from Da Nang before the coastal resort was locked down Tuesday.
In Australia, the initial results of testing to contain a potential Covid-19 outbreak south of Brisbane have been “the best we could have hoped for”, Queensland authorities said on Thursday.In Australia, the initial results of testing to contain a potential Covid-19 outbreak south of Brisbane have been “the best we could have hoped for”, Queensland authorities said on Thursday.
The state announced three new coronavirus cases had been detected – none linked to two women who tested positive after recently returning to Brisbane from Melbourne, and who allegedly made false declarations to evade Queensland border restrictions.The state announced three new coronavirus cases had been detected – none linked to two women who tested positive after recently returning to Brisbane from Melbourne, and who allegedly made false declarations to evade Queensland border restrictions.
But Queensland remains on edge about the potential for another source of virus infections, with a large tranche of tests results expected soon and recriminations already under way about the effectiveness of border controls and the actions of the women:But Queensland remains on edge about the potential for another source of virus infections, with a large tranche of tests results expected soon and recriminations already under way about the effectiveness of border controls and the actions of the women:
In Saudi Arabia, a scaled-down hajj has begun. This year, for the first time in modern history, Saudi officials have drastically restricted the number of pilgrims allowed to participate and enforced strict new health measures. Just 10,000 Muslims, all resident in the kingdom, are being allowed to perform the hajj - 0.4% of last year’s 2.5 million attendees from across the globe.In Saudi Arabia, a scaled-down hajj has begun. This year, for the first time in modern history, Saudi officials have drastically restricted the number of pilgrims allowed to participate and enforced strict new health measures. Just 10,000 Muslims, all resident in the kingdom, are being allowed to perform the hajj - 0.4% of last year’s 2.5 million attendees from across the globe.
This year’s downsized hajj may prove to be the safest ever despite the ever-present threat posed by the novel coronavirus, AFP reports.This year’s downsized hajj may prove to be the safest ever despite the ever-present threat posed by the novel coronavirus, AFP reports.
In past years pilgrims have faced a host of viral illnesses, with some falling sick, but a raft of measures are in place for the relatively modest number allowed to attend this year.In past years pilgrims have faced a host of viral illnesses, with some falling sick, but a raft of measures are in place for the relatively modest number allowed to attend this year.
The hajj is usually attended by upwards of two million Muslims, who converge on the Saudi city Mecca for one of the world’s biggest annual gatherings.The hajj is usually attended by upwards of two million Muslims, who converge on the Saudi city Mecca for one of the world’s biggest annual gatherings.
That poses enormous health and logistical challenges.That poses enormous health and logistical challenges.
In the past, pilgrims returning home have developed respiratory diseases after mingling with large crowds and staying in cramped pilgrim camps where social distancing was unheard of.In the past, pilgrims returning home have developed respiratory diseases after mingling with large crowds and staying in cramped pilgrim camps where social distancing was unheard of.
In New Zealand, News Hub reports that a 32-year-old man has been arrested after attempting to escape a managed quarantine facility:In New Zealand, News Hub reports that a 32-year-old man has been arrested after attempting to escape a managed quarantine facility:
Japan will from next week lift a ban on the re-entry of some foreign residents, imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus, the foreign ministry has announced.Japan will from next week lift a ban on the re-entry of some foreign residents, imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus, the foreign ministry has announced.
AFP reports that up to 90,000 foreign nationals with residence permits, including students, business people and trainees, are currently stuck outside Japan after authorities banned re-entry from over 100 countries in response to the global pandemic.AFP reports that up to 90,000 foreign nationals with residence permits, including students, business people and trainees, are currently stuck outside Japan after authorities banned re-entry from over 100 countries in response to the global pandemic.
From 5 August those who left Japan before their destination countries were added to the ban list will be able to apply to return, the foreign ministry said in a statement late Wednesday.From 5 August those who left Japan before their destination countries were added to the ban list will be able to apply to return, the foreign ministry said in a statement late Wednesday.
Those eligible will have to obtain a “re-entry confirmation letter” from the nearest Japanese diplomatic mission and submit evidence of a negative virus test conducted within 72 hours of their flight.Those eligible will have to obtain a “re-entry confirmation letter” from the nearest Japanese diplomatic mission and submit evidence of a negative virus test conducted within 72 hours of their flight.
From September 1, those conditions will also apply to foreign nationals in other categories, including permanent or long-term residents and spouses and children of Japanese nationals or permanent residents.From September 1, those conditions will also apply to foreign nationals in other categories, including permanent or long-term residents and spouses and children of Japanese nationals or permanent residents.
Japan has imposed an entry ban on visitors from more than 140 countries and regions, but the government has said it will ease them gradually.Japan has imposed an entry ban on visitors from more than 140 countries and regions, but the government has said it will ease them gradually.
Japanese citizens are able to re-enter the country from places on the ban list, and foreigners resident in Japan can apply for humanitarian exemptions to visit countries on the list and be allowed to return.Japanese citizens are able to re-enter the country from places on the ban list, and foreigners resident in Japan can apply for humanitarian exemptions to visit countries on the list and be allowed to return.
South Korea’s Celltrion Inc on Thursday said British regulators had given it regulatory approval for a phase I clinical trial of its experimental Covid-19 treatment drug, Reuters reports. The company will enrol participants for a clinical study in the UK after approval from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, Celltrion said in a statement.South Korean regulators on 17 July approved an early stage clinical trial for the drug, making it the country’s first such antibody drug to be tested on humans.
While Hawaii has one of the lowest rates of cases per capita in the country and many schools have open-air campuses, the challenges of returning kids full time to classrooms may still be insurmountable, AP reports.
Many residents live in multigenerational homes and fear for their elderly relatives, many schools lack the classroom space to allow for desks to be 6 feet (2 meters) apart, and the state is a major tourist destination and could see a rise in cases if restrictions are eased.
As a result, most schools in Hawaii will institute the hybrid approach being adopted in many parts of the country, with students alternating between attending in-person classes and online instruction. Some schools will have full face-to-face instruction for younger grade levels, but only a handful of schools will offer a full-time, in-person return.Schools in the only statewide public school system in the nation were scheduled to reopen on 4 August, but the teachers union led an effort to delay that. The district and the union agreed to a new date of Aug. 17. The Hawaii Board of Education will consider whether to approve the delay at a meeting Thursday.The union, Hawaii State Teachers Association, doesnt think the district has done sufficient planning for various scenarios, including what happens if someone gets sick or how to pivot to totally remote learning.
California, Florida and Texas, the three largest US states, all set one-day records for fatalities from Covid-19 on Wednesday, a Reuters tally showed, and the Miami-area school district said students would not return to classrooms when the new academic year begins as deaths from the virus spiked nationwide.
(Reuters’ visual explainer of the global death toll is worth looking at)The United States has registered 10,000 deaths over the last 11 days, the fastest surge since early June, prompting heated debates between the American public and its leaders over the best course forward. New infections do not appear to be rising at the same pace.
With the scheduled reopening of schools days away in some states, President Donald Trump has pushed for students to return to class while teacher unions and local officials have called for them to stay home.A total of more than 150,000 Americans have died of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic. The pace of coronavirus infections has accelerated since late May and the epicentre has moved to the South and West from New York, which still has by far the highest number of fatalities of any US state at more than 32,000.California, Florida and Texas together account for one-quarter of the total US population.
The UK car industry produced the lowest number of vehicles in the first half of 2020 since 1954, when second world war rationing ended, as the coronavirus pandemic forced factory closures and prompted at least 11,000 automotive job losses:
There are currently 16,950,407 known coronavirus cases worldwide, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker, and 664,961.
Five of the last seven days saw one-day case jumps of more than 250,000, with three of those over 280,000. The global one-day case record was set on 22 July with 281,500 cases and broken just a day later with 282,800 cases.
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews:
In Australia, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was asked how the daily case numbers had jumped so high – it’s more than the previous two days combined.
He said:
He then goes on to mention aged care.
Still in Australia, from midnight on Sunday everyone across the state of Victoria will have to wear a face covering when outside of their home, Premier Daniel Andrews has announced.
In Australia, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced that people several regional government areas in the state will no longer be allowed to have visitors to their homes from midnight tonight:
Hospitality venues will however remain open, which Andrews says may seem counter-intuitive:
The state Australian of New South Wales has recorded 18 new cases, in keeping with the low-double-digit increases seen for the past fortnight: