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Coronavirus live news: WHO reports record daily rise in global cases Coronavirus live news: WHO reports record daily rise in global cases
(32 minutes later)
New cases jump to 292,500, Irish Cup final played in front of fans; global death toll passes 674,000; France confirms ‘marked increase’ in casesNew cases jump to 292,500, Irish Cup final played in front of fans; global death toll passes 674,000; France confirms ‘marked increase’ in cases
Researchers raised fears that “systematic racism” in the provision of protective equipment was putting minority health workers at greater risk on Friday, as a study showed higher coronavirus infection rates among British and American medical staff.
The report, published in The Lancet Public Health journal, found that frontline healthcare workers were over three times more likely to test positive than the general population early in the pandemic, with the rate rising to five times for ethnic minority medical staff.
Researchers from the US looked at data from almost 100,000 healthcare workers in Britain and the United States taken from self-reported information on the COVID Symptoms Study smartphone app between March 24 and April 23, according to Reuters.
They found that the prevalence of infection among frontline care workers was 2,747 per 100,000 app users, compared with 242 per 100,000 in the general community.
When they took into account the health workers’ greater access to testing, the researchers estimated that frontline medical workers were around 3.4 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than app users in the wider population.
After accounting for pre-existing medical conditions, researchers estimated that healthcare workers from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds were almost five times more likely to report a positive COVID-19 result than somebody from the general community.
The study also found that frontline healthcare workers who said they did not have sufficient protective equipment - like masks, gloves and gowns - were 1.3 times more likely to test positive than those who said they had the proper equipment.
Hello everyone. This is Luke Henriques-Gomes taking over from Nadeem Badshah.
The Australian state of Victoria is mulling further coronavirus restrictions after recording more than 1,300 new cases over the past two days.
As the crisis in Victoria worsens, it emerged that a growing number of doctors are now in intensive care after contracting Covid-19, including an emergency doctor in his 30s and a GP in his 60s.
Meanwhile, St Basil’s, a Melbourne aged care home where several residents have died, has been evacuated because six replacement workers sent in under an emergency government takeover have also tested positive.
In New South Wales, where 21 new cases were recorded Friday, an exclusive members-only venue, the Australian Club, was among the latest locations forced to close after being linked to a positive case.
A grocery chain at Leichhardt in Sydney, Harris Farm Markets, on Friday announced a customer had tested positive, but it will remain open following deep cleaning.
Costa Rican doctors have begun giving free coronavirus tests to about 200 Nicaraguan migrants who have been stranded at the two countries’ border because the Nicaraguan government has demanded negative test results.Costa Rican doctors have begun giving free coronavirus tests to about 200 Nicaraguan migrants who have been stranded at the two countries’ border because the Nicaraguan government has demanded negative test results.
Clinica Biblica hospital in the capital of San Jose sent a mobile lab to the Penas Blancas border crossing.Clinica Biblica hospital in the capital of San Jose sent a mobile lab to the Penas Blancas border crossing.
“I thank God that finally we are going to be able to return to our country,” said one migrant.“I thank God that finally we are going to be able to return to our country,” said one migrant.
Mexico’s president has said he will only wear a mask when the country eradicates corruption, a pledge made the day after Mexico surpassed the UK in total Covid-19 deaths.Mexico’s president has said he will only wear a mask when the country eradicates corruption, a pledge made the day after Mexico surpassed the UK in total Covid-19 deaths.
Colombia, where lockdowns are planned through the end of August, passed 10,000 deaths from coronavirus on Friday, tallying 10,105 fatalities. Colombia, where lockdowns are planned to the end of August, passed 10,000 deaths from coronavirus on Friday, reaching 10,105.
The Andean country is expected to reach 300,000 total cases over the weekend.The Andean country is expected to reach 300,000 total cases over the weekend.
Brazil’s death toll has reached a total of 92,475, compared with 91,263 yesterday, according to the country’s health ministry.Brazil’s death toll has reached a total of 92,475, compared with 91,263 yesterday, according to the country’s health ministry.
The country has registered 2,662,485 confirmed cases of the virus, up from 2,610,102 yesterday.The country has registered 2,662,485 confirmed cases of the virus, up from 2,610,102 yesterday.
Saturday’s UK edition of the Guardian front page.Saturday’s UK edition of the Guardian front page.
The Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, shook hands with a crowd of cheering supporters packed shoulder to shoulder on a visit to the far south of the country on Friday, after revealing the night before that he is taking antibiotics for a lung infection.The Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, shook hands with a crowd of cheering supporters packed shoulder to shoulder on a visit to the far south of the country on Friday, after revealing the night before that he is taking antibiotics for a lung infection.
Bolsonaro has previously tested positive three times for the coronavirus, but, according to one source, doctors accompanying him on the trip have not linked the lung infection to his recent bout with Covid-19.Bolsonaro has previously tested positive three times for the coronavirus, but, according to one source, doctors accompanying him on the trip have not linked the lung infection to his recent bout with Covid-19.
Despite physical distancing guidelines, he has often come into close contact with supporters, attending rallies and working the rope line during public appearances.Despite physical distancing guidelines, he has often come into close contact with supporters, attending rallies and working the rope line during public appearances.
On Friday, he said he would continue to leave Brasilia and travel “at least once a week”.On Friday, he said he would continue to leave Brasilia and travel “at least once a week”.
In a video Bolsonaro posted on Twitter, he showed his face briefly before donning a mask while greeting a raucous crowd in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. He later held up a small child.In a video Bolsonaro posted on Twitter, he showed his face briefly before donning a mask while greeting a raucous crowd in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. He later held up a small child.
Bolsonaro has also used his public appearances to tout the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, which he credits for his recovery from Covid-19 despite a lack of scientific evidence.Bolsonaro has also used his public appearances to tout the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine, which he credits for his recovery from Covid-19 despite a lack of scientific evidence.
Supporters cheered the president on Friday as he lifted a box of the drug over his head.Supporters cheered the president on Friday as he lifted a box of the drug over his head.
Small groups of pilgrims performed one of the final rites of the hajj pilgrimage on Friday as Muslims worldwide marked the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday amid the global pandemic.Small groups of pilgrims performed one of the final rites of the hajj pilgrimage on Friday as Muslims worldwide marked the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday amid the global pandemic.
The last days of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia coincide with the four-day Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, in which Muslims slaughter livestock and distribute the meat to the poor.The last days of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia coincide with the four-day Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, in which Muslims slaughter livestock and distribute the meat to the poor.
The pandemic has pushed millions of people around the world closer to the brink of poverty, making it harder for many to fulfil the religious tradition of purchasing livestock.The pandemic has pushed millions of people around the world closer to the brink of poverty, making it harder for many to fulfil the religious tradition of purchasing livestock.
In Somalia, the price of meat has slightly increased. Abdishakur Dahir, a civil servant in Mogadishu, said that for the first time he would not be able to afford goat for Eid because of the impact of the virus on work.In Somalia, the price of meat has slightly increased. Abdishakur Dahir, a civil servant in Mogadishu, said that for the first time he would not be able to afford goat for Eid because of the impact of the virus on work.
“I could hardly buy food for my family,” Dahir said. “We are just surviving for now. Life is getting tougher by the day.”“I could hardly buy food for my family,” Dahir said. “We are just surviving for now. Life is getting tougher by the day.”
In some parts of west Africa, the price of a ram has doubled. Livestock sellers, used to doing brisk business in the days before the holiday, said sales have dwindled and those who are buying can’t afford much.In some parts of west Africa, the price of a ram has doubled. Livestock sellers, used to doing brisk business in the days before the holiday, said sales have dwindled and those who are buying can’t afford much.
It’s a tough market, Oumar Maiga, a livestock trader in Ivory Coast, said: “We are in a situation we’ve never seen in other years.”It’s a tough market, Oumar Maiga, a livestock trader in Ivory Coast, said: “We are in a situation we’ve never seen in other years.”
The hajj pilgrimage has also been drastically affected by the virus. Last year, some 2.5 million pilgrims took part but this year as few as 1,000 pilgrims already residing in Saudi Arabia were allowed to perform the hajj.The hajj pilgrimage has also been drastically affected by the virus. Last year, some 2.5 million pilgrims took part but this year as few as 1,000 pilgrims already residing in Saudi Arabia were allowed to perform the hajj.
The Saudi health ministry said there have been no cases of the Covid-19 illness among this year’s pilgrims. The government took numerous precautions, including testing pilgrims for the virus, monitoring their movement with electronic wristbands and requiring them to quarantine before and after the hajj. Pilgrims were selected after applying through an online portal, and all had to be between 20 and 50 years of age.The Saudi health ministry said there have been no cases of the Covid-19 illness among this year’s pilgrims. The government took numerous precautions, including testing pilgrims for the virus, monitoring their movement with electronic wristbands and requiring them to quarantine before and after the hajj. Pilgrims were selected after applying through an online portal, and all had to be between 20 and 50 years of age.
Tomorrow’s Times front page.
Saturday’s Financial Times front page.
Here are a selection of the front pages of tomorrow’s UK newspapers dominated by the government’s new coronavirus measures, starting with the Telegraph.
Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline have said they are in advanced discussions with the European Commission to supply up to 300 million doses of the drugmakers’ experimental Covid-19 vaccine.
The doses would be manufactured in European countries including France, Belgium, Germany and Italy.
Sanofi is leading the clinical development of the vaccine and expects to launch a pivotal trial by the end of this year.
Florida reported another record increase in Covid-19 deaths on Friday.
The state health department said Florida registered 257 fatalities, a record for the fourth straight day despite predictions that the midwest was becoming the worst affected area of the US.
The one-day loss of life in the state was roughly equivalent to the number of passengers on a single-aisle airplane.
Florida also reported 9,007 new cases, bringing its total infections to over 470,000, the second highest in the country behind California.
It is among at least 18 states where cases more than doubled in July, when almost 25,000 people in the US died from Covid-19.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Friday, with the total rising by 292,527. WHO warned the pandemic’s effects would be felt for decades as its emergency committee assessed the situation six months after sounding its top alarm over the outbreak.
The death toll globally from coronavirus has surpassed 675,000, according to Johns Hopkins University’s tracker. The figure is now at 675,167, with the US having the most deaths at 152,074, followed by Brazil with 91,263.
French health authorities reported 1,346 confirmed coronavirus infections, which took the total to 187,919. New cases are above 1,300 per day for the third day in a row, the highest since late April.
Dr Anthony Fauci, America’s top infectious disease expert, has told Congress he is “cautiously optimistic” that a “safe and effective” coronavirus vaccine will be available to the public by the end of 2020 during a hearing in Washington marked by testy exchanges between Fauci and senior Republicans loyal to Donald Trump.
Peruvian authorities and the Pan American Health Organization are investigating whether the country failed to count 27,253 deaths caused by the coronavirus, a figure that could more than double the country’s official death toll from Covid-19.
Greece announced another extension to the end of August of a controversial lockdown on its overcrowded migrant camps as infections in the country pick up. The lockdown on camps introduced in March will now be extended until 31 August “to prevent the emergence and dispersal of coronavirus cases”, the migration ministry said.
The Prince of Wales gave a ‘morale boost’ to health workers as he visited Caithness general hospital in the north of Scotland.
Staff at the hospital in Wick said they were thrilled to meet Charles, who is known as the Duke of Rothesay while in Scotland.
During his visit on Friday, Charles thanked staff for their “dedication and hard work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic”, according to NHS Highland.
Professor Boyd Robertson, chairman of the health board, said: “We were delighted to welcome His Royal Highness the Duke of Rothesay to Caithness general hospital.
“His Royal Highness spent time chatting with our staff to thank them for their efforts over the last few months and heard their experiences of working across a variety of health and social care roles during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“All of the staff that met him were delighted and it has given the entire team a morale boost after such a demanding and challenging period.
“I would like to thank His Royal Highness most sincerely for his visit to Caithness general hospital.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Friday, with the total rising by 292,527.
The biggest increases were from the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa, where deaths rose by a total of 6,812.
The previous WHO record for new cases was 284,196 on 24 July.
Deaths rose by 9,753 on 24 July, the second largest one-day increase ever.
Deaths have been averaging 5,200 a day in July, up from an average of 4,600 a day in June.