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Coronavirus live news: global death toll passes 700,000 as top US official to visit Taiwan Coronavirus live news: global death toll passes 700,000; French government warns 'do not lower your guard'
(32 minutes later)
US health secretary Alex Azar to visit Taiwan in veiled attack on China; Trump flounders in interview; France could lose control ‘any time’US health secretary Alex Azar to visit Taiwan in veiled attack on China; Trump flounders in interview; France could lose control ‘any time’
France has again reported more than 1,000 new confirmed coronavirus cases in the previous 24 hours. There are now 184 active clusters under investigation, 13 more than the previous day.
Officials said the number of admissions to intensive care had risen for a second consecutive day, to 21, having been dropping since April. The latest government figures show a total of 30,296 people have died from the coronavirus in France.
The French government’s scientific committee has said the virus is under control but warned that the situation “could tip the other way” very quickly. The health ministry said in a statement:
The Paris mayor, Anne Hidalgo, is in consultation with police authorities with a view to making face masks compulsory in certain areas of the capital. There’s no suggestion this will be a blanket obligation, but it could include popular markets and the Canal Saint Martin, where young people gather to party at weekends, and some parks. One of the city’s deputy mayors who is in charge of health said the aim was to slow down the return of the virus.
A survey by YouGov suggested 62% of French people were happy to wear a mask in public places outside.
Ireland has delayed reopening more pubs, extended use of face coverings and tightened its travel list amid concern at rising levels of Covid-19 infection.Ireland has delayed reopening more pubs, extended use of face coverings and tightened its travel list amid concern at rising levels of Covid-19 infection.
The government was delaying the relaxation of lockdown restrictions for the second time to ensure schools and colleges can open at the end of the month, the taoiseach, Micheál Martin, announced on Tuesday night. He said: The taoiseach, Micheál Martin, announced on Tuesday night that the government was delaying the relaxation of lockdown restrictions for the second time to ensure schools and colleges can open at the end of the month. He said:
In recent weeks the number of daily new coronavirus cases has more than doubled from 20 to 53. In recent weeks the number of daily new coronavirus cases has more than doubled, from 20 to 53.
Cafes, restaurants and pubs that serve food reopened in late June. So-called wet pubs that serve no food – about half of Ireland’s 7,000 pubs - were due to open next week but will now remain closed at least until September, with no guarantee they will open this year, said Martin.Cafes, restaurants and pubs that serve food reopened in late June. So-called wet pubs that serve no food – about half of Ireland’s 7,000 pubs - were due to open next week but will now remain closed at least until September, with no guarantee they will open this year, said Martin.
Face coverings will become mandatory in all shops from next week. The “green list” of 15 countries from which passengers arriving into Ireland need not quarantine shrivelled with the exclusion of Malta, Cyprus, San Marino, Gibraltar and Monaco. Face coverings will become mandatory in all shops from next week. The “green list” of 15 countries from which passengers arriving into Ireland need not quarantine shortened with the exclusion of Malta, Cyprus, San Marino, Gibraltar and Monaco.
Publicans’ representatives slated the delayed reopenings, telling RTE the state had abandoned 3,500 pubs and that the sector needed urgent financial support to weather the crisis. Publicans’ representatives slated the delayed reopenings, telling RTÉ the state had abandoned 3,500 pubs and that the sector needed urgent financial support to weather the crisis.
A survey has shown that business activity in the Eurozone saw modest growth in July, after some lockdown restrictions put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus were lifted. A survey suggests there was modest growth in business activity in the eurozone in July, after some lockdown measures were lifted. But the rebound in the service industry was not as sharp as expected.
But the rebound in the bloc’s dominant service industry was not as sharp as expected. The eurozone economy contracted by a record 12.1% last quarter, data showed on Friday. A Reuters poll in July predicted 8.1% growth this quarter as businesses begin to return to some sort of normal.
The Eurozone economy contracted a record 12.1% last quarter, data showed on Friday. A July Reuters poll predicted 8.1% growth this quarter as businesses begin to return to some sort of normal. July’s final Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) from IHS Markit, released on Wednesday and seen as a good indicator of economic health, bounced to 54.9, from June’s 48.5. The level had been below 50 – the level separating growth from contraction – for four months.
Wednesday’s final Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) from IHS Markit, seen as a good indicator of economic health, bounced to 54.9 in July from June’s 48.5. The level has been below 50 - the level separating growth from contraction - for four months. Chris Williamson, the chief business economist at IHS Markit, said:
Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit, said: While demand increased and optimism improved, firms again cut staff sharply. The employment index held below breakeven at 46.5, albeit better than June’s 43.2 reading.
While demand increased and optimism improved firms again cut staff sharply. The employment index held below breakeven at 46.5, albeit better than June’s 43.2 reading. As people ventured out to bars and restaurants, the services PMI rose from 48.3 to 54.7, its highest since September 2018.
As people ventured out to bars and restaurants, the services PMI rose to 54.7 from 48.3, its highest since September 2018. Ukraine recorded a record daily increase of 1,271 coronavirus cases on Tuesday. The number of infections in the country has risen sharply in the past two months as authorities have eased some restrictions, including allowing cafes, churches and public transport to reopen.
Ukraine recorded a record daily increase of 1,271 coronavirus cases on Tuesday, according to its council of security and defence. The health minister Maksym Stepanov urged people to obey broader restrictions that are still in place. In a televised briefing, he said:
The number of infections in the country has risen sharply in Ukraine in the past two months as authorities have eased some restrictions, allowing cafes, churches and public transport to reopen.
Health minister Maksym Stepanov urged people to obey broader restrictions that are still in place. In a televised briefing, Stepanov said:
The total number of cases rose to 75,490, including 1,788 deaths and 41,527 recovered as of 5 August.The total number of cases rose to 75,490, including 1,788 deaths and 41,527 recovered as of 5 August.
In India, the number of people dying from Covid-19 has increased by 857 in the last 24 hours, with the total number of deaths standing at 39,795. In India, the number of people to have died from Covid-19 increased by 857 in the last 24 hours, to a total of 39,795.
Reuters has an interesting article that gives an overview of the coronavirus smartphone apps that have been launched or planned in more than 20 countries and territories in Europe. Reuters has an interesting article giving an overview of the coronavirus smartphone apps that have been launched or are planned in more than 20 countries and territories in Europe.
These apps aim to break the chain of coronavirus infection by tracking encounters between people and issuing a warning should one of them test positive.These apps aim to break the chain of coronavirus infection by tracking encounters between people and issuing a warning should one of them test positive.
Most countries in the region have opted to use Bluetooth short-range radio to monitor close encounters that could spread the disease, after concluding that tracking people’s movements using location data would be intrusive. Reuters reports:Most countries in the region have opted to use Bluetooth short-range radio to monitor close encounters that could spread the disease, after concluding that tracking people’s movements using location data would be intrusive. Reuters reports:
What’s the story so far?What’s the story so far?
Since there is no cure or vaccine for Covid-19, governments have turned to technology to contribute to broader efforts to contain the pandemic.Since there is no cure or vaccine for Covid-19, governments have turned to technology to contribute to broader efforts to contain the pandemic.
After initial efforts misfired, Apple and Alphabet’s Google – whose iOS and Android operating systems run 99% of the world’s smartphones – developed a standard that logs contacts securely on devices. After initial efforts misfired, Apple and Google – whose iOS and Android operating systems run 99% of the world’s smartphones – developed a standard that logs contacts securely on devices.
Which countries have launched apps?Which countries have launched apps?
In the EU, Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Latvia and Poland have launched apps using the Google-Apple standard. Outside the bloc, similar apps are now live in Switzerland, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar.In the EU, Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Latvia and Poland have launched apps using the Google-Apple standard. Outside the bloc, similar apps are now live in Switzerland, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar.
A further nine EU countries plan Google-Apple apps, which would by design be interoperable.A further nine EU countries plan Google-Apple apps, which would by design be interoperable.
France and Hungary have launched a different type of app that stores information on a central server. The resulting rift in standards means it will be difficult to make all of the apps work seamlessly across Europe.France and Hungary have launched a different type of app that stores information on a central server. The resulting rift in standards means it will be difficult to make all of the apps work seamlessly across Europe.
How do the apps work?How do the apps work?
The apps typically show a “green”, or safe, status. Should the user spend more than 15 minutes within 2 metres of another app holder who then tests positive and uploads the result, they would get an exposure notification.The apps typically show a “green”, or safe, status. Should the user spend more than 15 minutes within 2 metres of another app holder who then tests positive and uploads the result, they would get an exposure notification.
What happens next varies: Germany’s app advises users to seek medical advice; the Swiss shares a hotline number to call; while in Ireland users can opt to sharing their phone number and get a callback from a contact tracer. What happens next varies: Germany’s app advises users to seek medical advice; the Swiss one shares a hotline number to call; while in Ireland users can opt to sharing their phone number and get a callback from a contact tracer.
Will they work?Will they work?
The design of Bluetooth-based apps represents a trade-off between usefulness and privacy. It is not possible, for example, to pinpoint the exact time and place of risk events from the app alone.The design of Bluetooth-based apps represents a trade-off between usefulness and privacy. It is not possible, for example, to pinpoint the exact time and place of risk events from the app alone.
The most privacy-oriented apps make it impossible for their administrators to monitor the number of exposure notifications going through the system - a key way to measure whether the apps are doing the job for which they are intended. The most privacy-oriented apps make it impossible for their administrators to monitor the number of exposure notifications going through the system – a key way to measure whether the apps are doing the job for which they are intended.
But the Google-Apple framework does allow monitoring of exposure notifications. This is enabled in the Irish app which also has add-ons such as a symptom tracker, where users can volunteer to share information on how they feel, helping the health authorities to map the pandemic.But the Google-Apple framework does allow monitoring of exposure notifications. This is enabled in the Irish app which also has add-ons such as a symptom tracker, where users can volunteer to share information on how they feel, helping the health authorities to map the pandemic.
Here are the latest figures of confirmed cases and deaths in the Western Pacific Region, according to the World Health Organization.Here are the latest figures of confirmed cases and deaths in the Western Pacific Region, according to the World Health Organization.
Good morning from London, where I’ll be covering coronavirus news from around the globe for the next few hours. If you want to get in touch with interesting stories from where you are – please do get in touch! Good morning from London, where I’ll be covering coronavirus news from around the globe for the next few hours. If you want to get in touch with interesting stories from where you are, please do get in touch!
I’m on alexandra.topping@theguardian.com and I’m @lexytopping on Twitter. My DMs are open.I’m on alexandra.topping@theguardian.com and I’m @lexytopping on Twitter. My DMs are open.
I’m going to hand over to my colleague in London, Alexandra Topping, so here’s a summary of the main developments today.I’m going to hand over to my colleague in London, Alexandra Topping, so here’s a summary of the main developments today.
The number of people who have died from Covid-19 has passed 700,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. More than 150,000 have been in the US, with Brazil accounting for more than 90,000.The number of people who have died from Covid-19 has passed 700,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. More than 150,000 have been in the US, with Brazil accounting for more than 90,000.
US health secretary Alex Azar will become the most senior American official to visit Taiwan since Washington shut off diplomatic ties in 1979. He will discuss the coronavirus pandemic and “celebrate the shared values” of the two democracies, a move likely to anger China.US health secretary Alex Azar will become the most senior American official to visit Taiwan since Washington shut off diplomatic ties in 1979. He will discuss the coronavirus pandemic and “celebrate the shared values” of the two democracies, a move likely to anger China.
Donald Trump has been told to “do your job” by Joe Biden after the US president floundered badly in a TV interview when asked about America’s high number of deaths from Covid-19.Donald Trump has been told to “do your job” by Joe Biden after the US president floundered badly in a TV interview when asked about America’s high number of deaths from Covid-19.
UK Labour leader Keir Starmer has told Boris Johnson that he has a month to fix Britain’s failing test-and-trace system or risk sending the country into a second lockdown as schools go back in September.UK Labour leader Keir Starmer has told Boris Johnson that he has a month to fix Britain’s failing test-and-trace system or risk sending the country into a second lockdown as schools go back in September.
The Australian state of Victoria recorded another 725 cases of Covid-19 as the outbreak continued to wreak havoc in the country. Queensland has closed its borders with NSW and the ACT.The Australian state of Victoria recorded another 725 cases of Covid-19 as the outbreak continued to wreak havoc in the country. Queensland has closed its borders with NSW and the ACT.
Virgin Atlantic has become the latest corporate casualty of the pandemic after declaring itself bankrupt and has filing for protection from creditors in the US. The move means it can restructure its debt and plot a course back into operation.Virgin Atlantic has become the latest corporate casualty of the pandemic after declaring itself bankrupt and has filing for protection from creditors in the US. The move means it can restructure its debt and plot a course back into operation.
Gold has soared to a record high price of $2,030.72 per ounce as financial markets move money into ultra-safe assets that they think are less likely to lose value if the world slumps into a prolonged recession thanks to Covid-19.Gold has soared to a record high price of $2,030.72 per ounce as financial markets move money into ultra-safe assets that they think are less likely to lose value if the world slumps into a prolonged recession thanks to Covid-19.
Keir Starmer has told Boris Johnson that he has a month to fix Britain’s failing test-and-trace system or risk sending the country into a second lockdown as schools go back in September.Keir Starmer has told Boris Johnson that he has a month to fix Britain’s failing test-and-trace system or risk sending the country into a second lockdown as schools go back in September.
In an exclusive story, the Labour leader says the prime minister must be prepared to take “hard decisions” to contain the virus.In an exclusive story, the Labour leader says the prime minister must be prepared to take “hard decisions” to contain the virus.
We now have a full story on the planned visit by US health secretary Alex Azar to Taiwan in the “coming days”.We now have a full story on the planned visit by US health secretary Alex Azar to Taiwan in the “coming days”.
In a move likely to anger the government in Beijing, which regards the island as part of China, Azar will become the most senior American official to visit Taiwan since Washington shut off diplomatic ties in 1979.In a move likely to anger the government in Beijing, which regards the island as part of China, Azar will become the most senior American official to visit Taiwan since Washington shut off diplomatic ties in 1979.
In a statement announcing the visit, Azar heaped praise on Taiwan’s “transparent” handling of the coronavirus pandemic in contrast to some “authoritarian regimes”.In a statement announcing the visit, Azar heaped praise on Taiwan’s “transparent” handling of the coronavirus pandemic in contrast to some “authoritarian regimes”.
Here’s Helen Davidson’s full story:Here’s Helen Davidson’s full story:
The coronavirus crisis has not curbed the earnings appetite of the bosses of Britain’s biggest companies. Despite most of the FTSE100 companies taking advantage of the government’s furlough wage scheme to pay workers, only 36 of them saw fit to reduce the pay of their chief executives, according to research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the High Pay Centre.The coronavirus crisis has not curbed the earnings appetite of the bosses of Britain’s biggest companies. Despite most of the FTSE100 companies taking advantage of the government’s furlough wage scheme to pay workers, only 36 of them saw fit to reduce the pay of their chief executives, according to research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the High Pay Centre.
Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, said: “It doesn’t look like the pandemic has proven to be an inflection point for executive pay yet. The bulk of cuts made so far appear to be short-term and don’t signify meaningful, long-term change.”Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, said: “It doesn’t look like the pandemic has proven to be an inflection point for executive pay yet. The bulk of cuts made so far appear to be short-term and don’t signify meaningful, long-term change.”
Schools in England should be the last to close and the first to reopen in the event of a second lockdown, the children’s commissioner has said, adding that young people had sometimes been an “after thought” during the crisis.Schools in England should be the last to close and the first to reopen in the event of a second lockdown, the children’s commissioner has said, adding that young people had sometimes been an “after thought” during the crisis.
Anne Longfield said pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops should be shut ahead of schools in the case of emergency restrictions.Anne Longfield said pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops should be shut ahead of schools in the case of emergency restrictions.
It is only 17 days since the global death tally passed 600,000, so we’re seeing a rapid increase in the number of fatalities.It is only 17 days since the global death tally passed 600,000, so we’re seeing a rapid increase in the number of fatalities.
According to a calculation by Reuters, nearly 5,900 people are dying every 24 hours from Covid-19 on average, according to Reuters calculations based on data from the past two weeks. That equates to 247 people per hour, or one person every 15 seconds.According to a calculation by Reuters, nearly 5,900 people are dying every 24 hours from Covid-19 on average, according to Reuters calculations based on data from the past two weeks. That equates to 247 people per hour, or one person every 15 seconds.
The number of people who have died from Covid-19 has passed 700,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.The number of people who have died from Covid-19 has passed 700,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
More than 150,000 have been in the US, with Brazil accounting for more than 90,000 and Mexico third highest with 45,000.More than 150,000 have been in the US, with Brazil accounting for more than 90,000 and Mexico third highest with 45,000.
Germany has reported 741 new cases of the virus, according to the Robert Koch Institute, down from 879 the previous day.Germany has reported 741 new cases of the virus, according to the Robert Koch Institute, down from 879 the previous day.
The total number of cases in Germany is now 212,022 with 9168 deaths. It is estimated 194,600 people have survived the disease.The total number of cases in Germany is now 212,022 with 9168 deaths. It is estimated 194,600 people have survived the disease.
However, the country is in danger of squandering its relatively successful handling of the disease earlier this year because people have been flouting social-distancing rules, according to Susanne Johna, the president of Marburger Bund, which represents the country’s doctors.However, the country is in danger of squandering its relatively successful handling of the disease earlier this year because people have been flouting social-distancing rules, according to Susanne Johna, the president of Marburger Bund, which represents the country’s doctors.
“We are already in a second, shallow upswing,” she told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper on Tuesday, urging people to continue to respect distancing and hygiene rules and wear masks despite an understandable desire to return to full normality.“We are already in a second, shallow upswing,” she told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper on Tuesday, urging people to continue to respect distancing and hygiene rules and wear masks despite an understandable desire to return to full normality.
Gold has soared to a record high price of $2,030.72 per ounce as financial markets move money into ultra-safe assets that they think are less likely to lose value if the world slumps into a prolonged recession thanks to Covid-19.Gold has soared to a record high price of $2,030.72 per ounce as financial markets move money into ultra-safe assets that they think are less likely to lose value if the world slumps into a prolonged recession thanks to Covid-19.
It’s likely that US legislatords will agree more stimulus spending to help the country’s economy, which will in turn put more downward pressure on bond yields and the US dollar, shifting more cash into other assets.It’s likely that US legislatords will agree more stimulus spending to help the country’s economy, which will in turn put more downward pressure on bond yields and the US dollar, shifting more cash into other assets.
“Failure to agree to another round of stimulus would hit the U.S. economy hard at a time when high-frequency data suggests it is losing some momentum,” said Tapas Strickland, analyst at Melbourne-based National Australia Bank told Reuters.“Failure to agree to another round of stimulus would hit the U.S. economy hard at a time when high-frequency data suggests it is losing some momentum,” said Tapas Strickland, analyst at Melbourne-based National Australia Bank told Reuters.
Here’s another quirky virus-related story about the obscure Hutt River micronation in Australia that has decided to rejoin the country because of the ravages of coronavirus.Here’s another quirky virus-related story about the obscure Hutt River micronation in Australia that has decided to rejoin the country because of the ravages of coronavirus.
The “nation” several hundred kilometres north of Perth in Western Australia was declared sovereign in 1970 in a dispute over wheat and even declared war on its rather bigger neighbour in 1977.The “nation” several hundred kilometres north of Perth in Western Australia was declared sovereign in 1970 in a dispute over wheat and even declared war on its rather bigger neighbour in 1977.
But the virus has forced Hutt River to close its borders to tourists and it is being starved of income, despite Weatern Australia being free of Covid-19.But the virus has forced Hutt River to close its borders to tourists and it is being starved of income, despite Weatern Australia being free of Covid-19.
Read more on this weird and wonderful tale here:Read more on this weird and wonderful tale here: