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Coronavirus live news: France rules out lockdown despite infections rise; Japan reports second day of record new cases Coronavirus live news: France rules out lockdown despite infections rise; Japan reports second day of record new cases
(32 minutes later)
French prime minister says full lockdown must be avoided; Japan records 1,274 new cases on Thursday; number of global cases passes 17mFrench prime minister says full lockdown must be avoided; Japan records 1,274 new cases on Thursday; number of global cases passes 17m
Libya’s internationally recognised government in Tripoli will impose a full lockdown in areas of the country it controls, it said on Thursday, after a sharp rise in coronavirus cases.
Libya, split since 2014 between areas held by the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east, managed to avoid an early surge of the pandemic.
However, the disease has been spreading more quickly this month and Libya’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), one of the few bodies that operates across the country despite the conflict, has confirmed 3,222 cases.
Libya’s health system is in tatters after nearly a decade of chaos and war that has fragmented the state, destroyed infrastructure and left many people living in crowded conditions after fleeing their homes.
The main outbreaks are focused in Tripoli, the port of Misrata and in the southern desert town of Sebha, according to the NCDC, though cases have also been confirmed in most other major population centres.
The lockdown will start on Friday and last for at least five days, forbidding all movement outside except to buy necessities, and replacing a partial 9pm to 6am curfew.
Friday will also be the first day of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.
Authorities in Benghazi, in eastern Libya, have also imposed restrictions on movement but, with fewer cases confirmed there, have not yet ordered a full lockdown.
That’s all from me Caroline Davies. Thank you for your time.That’s all from me Caroline Davies. Thank you for your time.
Japan recorded at least 1,274 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, reaching a record high for the second straight day, according to a report in The Japan Times.Japan recorded at least 1,274 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, reaching a record high for the second straight day, according to a report in The Japan Times.
Tokyo reported a record 367 new cases on Thursday as the metropolitan government asked restaurants and karaoke bars to limit their operating hours amid worries over the recent spike in infections across Japan.Tokyo reported a record 367 new cases on Thursday as the metropolitan government asked restaurants and karaoke bars to limit their operating hours amid worries over the recent spike in infections across Japan.
Governor Yuriko Koike said the capital is considering issuing its own version of a state of emergency in the future depending on the number of cases in the coming days, the paper reported.Governor Yuriko Koike said the capital is considering issuing its own version of a state of emergency in the future depending on the number of cases in the coming days, the paper reported.
The metropolitan government has asked restaurants, karaoke bars and other stores to limit their operating hours to between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. from Aug. 3 to Aug. 31 to prevent further spread of the virus, Koike said. People in their 20s and 30s accounted for 64 percent of the cases. The metropolitan government has asked restaurants, karaoke bars and other stores to limit their operating hours to between 5am and 10pm from 3 August to 31 August to prevent further spread of the virus, Koike said. People in their 20s and 30s accounted for 64% of the cases.
Iceland is tightening restrictions after a surge in virus cases, following three months of gradual easing.Iceland is tightening restrictions after a surge in virus cases, following three months of gradual easing.
For the past week, 28 of the 31 new cases of COVID-19 identified in the North Atlantic island have been linked to internal transmissions in the country, AFP reports. For the past week, 28 of the 31 new cases of Covid-19 identified in the North Atlantic island have been linked to internal transmissions in the country, AFP reports.
Five separate sources of contamination have been identified in the southwest, in particular in Akranes, about 50 kilometres from the capital Reykjavík. Five separate sources of contamination have been identified in the south-west, in particular in Akranes, about 50km from the capital Reykjavík.
The first hospitalisation since mid-May was also recorded on Wednesday.The first hospitalisation since mid-May was also recorded on Wednesday.
“We have to react quickly,” Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir said at a press conference. “We have to react quickly,” the prime minister, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, said at a press conference.
The government has tightened assembly restrictions, bringing the limit down from 500 people to 100.The government has tightened assembly restrictions, bringing the limit down from 500 people to 100.
It has reinstated the mandatory two-metre social distance rule, which had been a recommendation since May 22, and for the first time made the wearing of masks compulsory on public transport, domestic flights, ferries and hairdressing salons where the two-metre rule cannot be respected.It has reinstated the mandatory two-metre social distance rule, which had been a recommendation since May 22, and for the first time made the wearing of masks compulsory on public transport, domestic flights, ferries and hairdressing salons where the two-metre rule cannot be respected.
All travellers must be tested on arrival to avoid quarantine but tourists visiting the island for 10 days or more will have to take a second test four to six days after their arrival.All travellers must be tested on arrival to avoid quarantine but tourists visiting the island for 10 days or more will have to take a second test four to six days after their arrival.
These new measures come into effect this Friday at 12:00 GMT for at least two weeks.These new measures come into effect this Friday at 12:00 GMT for at least two weeks.
Iceland, which introduced a mass testing policy, had returned to near-normal operation with the reopening of high schools, universities and hairdressers on May 4, followed gradually by swimming pools, gyms, bars and nightclubs.Iceland, which introduced a mass testing policy, had returned to near-normal operation with the reopening of high schools, universities and hairdressers on May 4, followed gradually by swimming pools, gyms, bars and nightclubs.
Entry to the country for foreign tourists was reopened on June 15 to travellers from the Schengen area before being extended.Entry to the country for foreign tourists was reopened on June 15 to travellers from the Schengen area before being extended.
Iceland has recorded 10 deaths from 1,872 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the epidemic, of which 39 are currently active. Iceland has recorded 10 deaths from 1,872 cases of Covid-19 since the start of the epidemic, of which 39 are currently active.
Sweden, whose controversial softer approach to curbing Covid-19 has received worldwide attention, said today it would keep encouraging people to work from home when possible, as the country passed 80,000 recorded cases, AFP reports.Sweden, whose controversial softer approach to curbing Covid-19 has received worldwide attention, said today it would keep encouraging people to work from home when possible, as the country passed 80,000 recorded cases, AFP reports.
The recommendation, which is directed at those “who have the possibility to work from home,” will remain in place until the New Year.The recommendation, which is directed at those “who have the possibility to work from home,” will remain in place until the New Year.
Aimed in part at reducing crowding on public transport, the measure is designed to make things easier for those who need to physically go to work.Aimed in part at reducing crowding on public transport, the measure is designed to make things easier for those who need to physically go to work.
The announcement came as officials noted several positive trends in Sweden, with falling numbers of new cases, especially serious cases in need of intensive care.The announcement came as officials noted several positive trends in Sweden, with falling numbers of new cases, especially serious cases in need of intensive care.
But the country’s Public Health Agency noted that “if our contacts go up again there is a considerable risk of a new spread during the autumn”.But the country’s Public Health Agency noted that “if our contacts go up again there is a considerable risk of a new spread during the autumn”.
Hi. This is Caroline Davies taking over the blog for a while. You can get in touch on caroline.davies@theguardian.comHi. This is Caroline Davies taking over the blog for a while. You can get in touch on caroline.davies@theguardian.com
The US economy suffered its worst quarter since the second world war as GDP shrunk by 32.9%, government figures revealed on Thursday, as more signs emerged of the coronavirus pandemic’s heavy toll on the country’s economy.The US economy suffered its worst quarter since the second world war as GDP shrunk by 32.9%, government figures revealed on Thursday, as more signs emerged of the coronavirus pandemic’s heavy toll on the country’s economy.
The fall came as large parts of the US economy shutdown in March in an attempt to halt the spread of the coronavirus across the US. The closures led to a historic number of layoffs and sent unemployment soaring to levels unseen since the 1930s Great Depression.The fall came as large parts of the US economy shutdown in March in an attempt to halt the spread of the coronavirus across the US. The closures led to a historic number of layoffs and sent unemployment soaring to levels unseen since the 1930s Great Depression.
My colleague Dominic Rushe’s full report is here:My colleague Dominic Rushe’s full report is here:
And for more updates on the situation in the US, head over to our US coronavirus live blog:And for more updates on the situation in the US, head over to our US coronavirus live blog:
The ruling African National Congress in South Africa is facing allegations of corruption and conflicts of interest linked to procurement of key medical supplies to fight Covid-19.The ruling African National Congress in South Africa is facing allegations of corruption and conflicts of interest linked to procurement of key medical supplies to fight Covid-19.
South Africa currently has 471,000 confirmed Covid infections, almost half those on the continent and one of the highest totals in the world. The disease has spread rapidly since the easing in early June of a strict lockdown, and now threatens to overwhelm healthcare systems.South Africa currently has 471,000 confirmed Covid infections, almost half those on the continent and one of the highest totals in the world. The disease has spread rapidly since the easing in early June of a strict lockdown, and now threatens to overwhelm healthcare systems.
The spokesperson for the president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has been forced to take a leave of absence after reports that her husband had won multimillion-dollar government deals for the procurement of personal protective equipment, and the most senior elected health official in Gauteng, the most populous and richest province, has been suspended for four weeks pending the result of an investigation into improper award of similar contracts.The spokesperson for the president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has been forced to take a leave of absence after reports that her husband had won multimillion-dollar government deals for the procurement of personal protective equipment, and the most senior elected health official in Gauteng, the most populous and richest province, has been suspended for four weeks pending the result of an investigation into improper award of similar contracts.
David Makhura, the leader of Gauteng province, told journalists on Thursday that the allegations of graft “have profoundly eroded public confidence in the government ... and undermined the work done by or health workers in the fight against Covid-19.”David Makhura, the leader of Gauteng province, told journalists on Thursday that the allegations of graft “have profoundly eroded public confidence in the government ... and undermined the work done by or health workers in the fight against Covid-19.”
The ANC, in power since 1994, has struggled to maintain the goodwill of many South Africans during the pandemic.The ANC, in power since 1994, has struggled to maintain the goodwill of many South Africans during the pandemic.
In a recent televised address, Ramaphosa pledged a crackdown on any corruption linked to the fight against Covid-19, saying that he was concerned by “instances where funds are stolen, where they are misused, where goods are overpriced, where food parcels are diverted from needy households, where there is corruption and mismanagement of public funds.”In a recent televised address, Ramaphosa pledged a crackdown on any corruption linked to the fight against Covid-19, saying that he was concerned by “instances where funds are stolen, where they are misused, where goods are overpriced, where food parcels are diverted from needy households, where there is corruption and mismanagement of public funds.”
Many observers pointed out that there have been few investigations or convictions for corruption despite repeated allegations made against senior ANC officials for many years.Many observers pointed out that there have been few investigations or convictions for corruption despite repeated allegations made against senior ANC officials for many years.
Germany’s hotel and restaurant federation (Dehoga) has said its members are concerned about their legal obligation to collect guests’ names and addresses so they can be traced in case of a coronavirus outbreak, accusing the police of frequently using the data for other unrelated reasons.Germany’s hotel and restaurant federation (Dehoga) has said its members are concerned about their legal obligation to collect guests’ names and addresses so they can be traced in case of a coronavirus outbreak, accusing the police of frequently using the data for other unrelated reasons.
Dehoga’s president, Ingrid Hartges, has called the process “extremely sensitive” and called for clarity from lawmakers, saying that many of its members had been disturbed by what they saw as law enforcer’s misuse of the data.Dehoga’s president, Ingrid Hartges, has called the process “extremely sensitive” and called for clarity from lawmakers, saying that many of its members had been disturbed by what they saw as law enforcer’s misuse of the data.
Under measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus, pubs, restaurants and hotels in Germany are obliged to collect the names and contact details of all guests, so that they can be quickly traced, if it is suspected that someone infected with coronavirus has visited the establishment. The data is to be kept for a month before the establishment’s management is obliged to destroy it.Under measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus, pubs, restaurants and hotels in Germany are obliged to collect the names and contact details of all guests, so that they can be quickly traced, if it is suspected that someone infected with coronavirus has visited the establishment. The data is to be kept for a month before the establishment’s management is obliged to destroy it.
But a rising number of cases are coming to light of police requesting the contact data in order to pursue criminal prosecutions despite the fact that registration forms which guests fill in, carry the assurance that “data will only be used in case of a coronavirus infection”.But a rising number of cases are coming to light of police requesting the contact data in order to pursue criminal prosecutions despite the fact that registration forms which guests fill in, carry the assurance that “data will only be used in case of a coronavirus infection”.
In a letter to its 65,000 members seen by the newspaper group Funke Mediengruppe, Dehoga has expressed its concern about the current situation, cautioning them to ensure that the data is not used for any purpose other than to pursue the virus. Hartges wrote that misuse of the data had the potential to “increase conflicts between patrons and guests”, particularly if guests became reluctant to give their details owing to frequent requests by the police to see the lists.In a letter to its 65,000 members seen by the newspaper group Funke Mediengruppe, Dehoga has expressed its concern about the current situation, cautioning them to ensure that the data is not used for any purpose other than to pursue the virus. Hartges wrote that misuse of the data had the potential to “increase conflicts between patrons and guests”, particularly if guests became reluctant to give their details owing to frequent requests by the police to see the lists.
Elsewhere there are concerns about the lists’ general reliability, over increasing indications that many people are indeed filling out the forms incorrectly, or giving false names. A recent outbreak of the virus which was traced back to a bar in southern Berlin has led to 70 people being quarantined.Elsewhere there are concerns about the lists’ general reliability, over increasing indications that many people are indeed filling out the forms incorrectly, or giving false names. A recent outbreak of the virus which was traced back to a bar in southern Berlin has led to 70 people being quarantined.
But 41 of the guests who were at Brauhaus Neulich on 16 July, gave incomplete or false contact details “meaning that to trace them is extremely difficult to impossible,” according to the health office in the Neukölln district. Eighteen people who visited the bar have been tested positive for the virus.But 41 of the guests who were at Brauhaus Neulich on 16 July, gave incomplete or false contact details “meaning that to trace them is extremely difficult to impossible,” according to the health office in the Neukölln district. Eighteen people who visited the bar have been tested positive for the virus.
Whilst the health authorities insist that patrons are responsible for checking the information guests give is correct, Dehoga has said its members cannot be expected to check every guest’s identification against the data they volunteer.Whilst the health authorities insist that patrons are responsible for checking the information guests give is correct, Dehoga has said its members cannot be expected to check every guest’s identification against the data they volunteer.
Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, extended its “transitional” social restrictions on Thursday to curb coronavirus transmission, said its governor, as the Southeast Asian country reported 1,904 new infections, health ministry data showed.Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, extended its “transitional” social restrictions on Thursday to curb coronavirus transmission, said its governor, as the Southeast Asian country reported 1,904 new infections, health ministry data showed.
The governor Anies Baswedan told a streamed briefing on Thursday evening that the large-scale social restrictions, which have seen schools closed and restaurants or public transportation operate at limited capacity, will be extended for the third time, to 13 August.The governor Anies Baswedan told a streamed briefing on Thursday evening that the large-scale social restrictions, which have seen schools closed and restaurants or public transportation operate at limited capacity, will be extended for the third time, to 13 August.
“Data shows that there is a hike in cases in Jakarta, and there has not been any improvement from two weeks ago to right now,” he said, adding that there had been clusters found in offices in the capital.“Data shows that there is a hike in cases in Jakarta, and there has not been any improvement from two weeks ago to right now,” he said, adding that there had been clusters found in offices in the capital.
Jakarta, a city of 10 million, reported 397 new coronavirus cases, according to central government data, bringing the total of infections in the city to 20,969, the second largest in the Southeast Asian nation.Jakarta, a city of 10 million, reported 397 new coronavirus cases, according to central government data, bringing the total of infections in the city to 20,969, the second largest in the Southeast Asian nation.
Indonesia has reported a total number of 106,336 coronavirus cases, the highest in East Asia. The number of deaths in Indonesia related to Covid-19 rose by 83 on Thursday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 5,058, also the biggest in the region.Indonesia has reported a total number of 106,336 coronavirus cases, the highest in East Asia. The number of deaths in Indonesia related to Covid-19 rose by 83 on Thursday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 5,058, also the biggest in the region.
Vietnam’s business hub, Ho Chi Minh City, has ordered bars and nightclubs to shut and banned gatherings of more than 30 people starting midnight on Thursday, to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus after it resurfaced in the country last week.
Ho Chi Minh City has registered two cases of Covid-19 linked to the Danang outbreak, both of which had reported themselves separately to health authorities before undertaking tests, the city’s administration said in a statement.
About 18,000 tourists who had been in Danang have returned to Ho Chi Minh City recently, it added. The restrictions follow similar curbs imposed by the capital Hanoi on Wednesday.
Governments have the right to restrict protests on public health grounds, within reason, the UN Human Rights Committee has said, as demonstrations clash with coronavirus outbreaks around the world.
The committee stepped in to formulate its legal interpretation having seen a gap in the international norms being tested before the pandemic started, since when the matter has become more pressing.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, signed by 173 countries, including the US and China, has always allowed for restrictions to be placed on the rights of peaceful assembly on grounds including public health and the new document, called a “general comment”, confirmed that.
The report said:
However its author, Christof Heyns, was at pains to stress that this ground should not be used to unduly restrict demonstrations.
“This ground for restrictions should not be abused as a pretext to silence protest and opposition,” he said, adding that a government could, for example, limit the number of demonstrators in a public square to allow for social distancing.
More broadly, a summary of the document said that states have duties “not to prohibit, restrict, block or disrupt assemblies without compelling justification”.
Heyns said the legal interpretation was intended to set out the “rules of the game not just for protesters but for police”.
On the issue of whether protesters were allowed to wear masks to hide their identity as pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong have, the report said they had that right.
It also said that public order, one of the other grounds on which governments can restrict assemblies, “should not be used unduly”.
Asked about whether a state requirement to wear face coverings during the pandemic was a human rights violation, Heyns told Reuters:
However his comments on face coverings were not part of the official legal report. In parts of the United States, as well as Australia, the issue of mask-wearing has been divisive in some cases resulting in anti-mask protests.
The 18-person UN Human Rights Committee does not have enforcement powers but it reviews the party states’ implementation of its rules and may call them out for not conforming.
The Philippine government’s Covid-19 task force confirmed 3,954 new infections on Thursday, the country’s largest single-day increase in new cases.
The information on the surge in infections, which was a sharp increase from the record 2,539 cases confirmed on 8 July, was mentioned in a regular circular issued by the inter-agency task force.
The health ministry was expected to release further details later on Thursday.
The United Kingdom suffered the highest rate of excess deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic in a comparison of 21 European countries, an analysis from Britain’s statistics office showed on Thursday.
Epidemiologists say excess mortality – deaths from all causes that exceed the five-year average for the time of year – is the best way of gauging deaths from a disease outbreak because it is internationally comparable.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) analysis confirmed the UK’s place as one of the countries worst hit by a pandemic that has killed more than 666,000 people worldwide.
About 65,000 more people than usual have died from all causes across the United Kingdom so far this year, the highest total in Europe.
Thursday’s figures showed the United Kingdom also had Europe’s highest excess death rate when adjusted for the size and age of its population. The ONS said the excess deaths were spread throughout the UK, in contrast to many European countries where they were concentrated in particular regions.
Even so, England had a noticeably higher death rate than Scotland, which in turn had higher death rates than Wales and Northern Ireland.
Spain recorded a higher peak of excess deaths but the slower decline of deaths in Britain following its own coronavirus peak made for a worse picture overall, the report - based on age-standardised data - showed.
“This meant that by the end of May, England had seen the highest overall relative excess mortality out of all the European countries compared,” the ONS statistician Edward Morgan said.
The large death toll has prompted criticism of Boris Johnson’s handling of the pandemic, with opposition parties and some scientists saying Britain was too slow to impose a lockdown or protect the elderly in care homes.
Johnson has said his government followed the science but that there would be lessons to learn.
You can follow live updates on the UK’s outbreak over on the Guardian’s UK coronavirus live blog.
Authorities imposed travel restictions on Thursday on people coming in and out of Urumqi, the capital of China’s western Xinjiang region, seeking to contain an outbreak of the coronavirus there, Reuters reports.
The city has been at the centre of the new wave of infections in mainland China, accounting for 96 of 105 confirmed Covid-19 cases reported on 29 July.
Non-residents seeking to leave the city will have to test negative in both nucleic acid and antibody tests before they can leave if they have been in the city for 14 days or more, the vice mayor Song Yajun said during a daily briefing. He added that residents should not leave Urumqi unless necessary.
Urumqi will also mandate 14-day quarantine for people arriving in the city from high-risk Covid-19 areas, Song said. Others entering the city will need to show proof of a negative test within the past seven days, among other requirements, which vary depending on where they are coming from.
The number of new cases in mainland China is still well below the peaks seen in February, but the resurgence underscores the challenge in stamping out the disease.
Also on Thursday, China ordered local authorities to carry out regular coronavirus tests at wholesale markets. In June, there was a cluster of infections centred around a major wholesale market in the capital, Beijing.
Cases of Covid-19 in the Czech Republic have surpassed 16,000 as a recent rise in infections continues, health ministry data showed on Thursday.
The central European country of 10.7 million has faced a rise in cases in July in several hot spots, including in an eastern mining region and more recently in the capital Prague, which reported a daily record of 101 cases on Tuesday.
With the uptick in cases outpacing neighbours, government and health officials have sought to boost the country’s “smart quarantine” programme to track and trace contacts of infected people.
On Thursday, the health ministry also unveiled plans to ramp up testing capacity, which the health minister, Adam Vojtěch, said was currently at around 17,000 daily. The country carried out 7,413 tests on Tuesday, the most since mid-May.
The ministry recorded 278 cases nationwide on Wednesday, the second highest daily rise in July. The seven-day average reached 216, the highest since April 10.
In total, the country has seen 16,093 cases since the outbreak started in March, with 11,429 recoveries so far and 374 deaths from the Covid-19 illness.
Since lifting a strict nationwide lockdown imposed in March, the authorities have pledged to avoid future countrywide measures and instead aimed to tackle outbreaks locally.
Despite the growth in daily cases, the number of those hospitalised was 120, well off April peaks above 400.
The number of infections of coronavirus in Iran has reached 301,530, according to official health ministry figures announced on state TV on Thursday.
Iran has the Middle East’s highest number of recorded Covid-19 cases, and infections and deaths have risen sharply since restrictions on movement began to be eased in mid-April.
There were 226 deaths from the coronavirus in the past 24 hours taking the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 16,569.
Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, urged people on Saturday to observe health protocols and practice social distancing during upcoming Muslim festivities, as a health official said there had been a surge in coronavirus infections in a major holy city.
The deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi, speaking on state television on Saturday, urged people not to visit the northeastern holy city of Mashhad, which he said had seen an increase of 300% in Covid-19 cases over a one-month period.
Poland reported its highest daily rise in coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic on Thursday, with 615 new infections, according to the health ministry’s Twitter account.
The health ministry also announced the deaths of a further 15 people.Poland has reported a total of 45,031 infections and 1,709 deaths so far.