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Coronavirus live news: Greece blames complacency for 'significant rise' in cases; global death toll passes 700,000 Coronavirus live news: Greece blames complacency for 'significant rise' in cases; global death toll passes 700,000
(32 minutes later)
Greek health officials register highest number of new cases since 22 April; one death every 15 seconds around the world as cases riseGreek health officials register highest number of new cases since 22 April; one death every 15 seconds around the world as cases rise
Covid-19 cases in Gambia, mainland Africa’s smallest country, have surged over 60% in the last week to nearly 800 cases, health ministry data showed on Wednesday.
Authorities attributed the rise to people relaxing their guard on protective measures that had so far kept Gambia’s case total the lowest in Africa. Testing has also increased in the country, where the number of deaths is 16.
“There is increased enforcement of mask-wearing and other measures across the country,” government spokesman Ebrima Sankareh said.
Gambia will increase police, paramilitary, marine and immigration presence on its border as scores of Senegalese return from celebrating Eid al-Adha in neighbouring Senegal, which has recorded over 10,400 cases, he added.
The health ministry said six people who were confirmed cases are still at large, while two other positive cases have fled from a treatment centre in the capital.
Three cabinet ministers have tested positive for Covic-19, the government said on Sunday, while health minister Ahmadou Lamin Samateh is in self-isolation.
Vice president Isatou Touray also tested positive on July 29, leading president Adama Barrow to enter self-isolation. The government said on Tuesday the president had tested negative.
Police in Thailand have summoned five organisers of student-led protests against the government, saying they had violated a coronavirus emergency decree that forbids large gatherings.
Among those called for questioning was Anon Nampa, a human rights lawyer, who on Monday had demanded reforms of the country’s powerful monarchy, a highly sensitive topic.
Police told Reuters that Nampa, 35, was summoned over an earlier protest in July outside the army’s headquarters.
That demonstration was among a series of near-daily, student-led rallies around Thailand since mid-July that have demanded the resignation of prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and amendments to a military-drafted constitution they say maintains army influence over the political system.
The five organisers were “summoned for questioning and to hear the charge of breaching the emergency decree,” police lieutenant colonel Athich Donnanchai, deputy director of Nanglerng police, told Reuters.
Asked about his summons, Anon in a text message said the decree “is a law to gag and stop activism”.
The government last month said the emergency decree in place since March would only be used as a measure against the coronavirus and from August onwards said it would not be used to prevent political rallies.
Six protest leaders or political activists in two different provinces were summoned last month for breaching the emergency decree, among other alleged offences.
Portugal’s Azores Islands, 1,400km from the Portuguese coast, breached the national constitution by forcing air passengers to quarantine for 14 days, the country’s constitutional court has ruled.Portugal’s Azores Islands, 1,400km from the Portuguese coast, breached the national constitution by forcing air passengers to quarantine for 14 days, the country’s constitutional court has ruled.
The court said authorities on the islands had treated people as if they were serving a short prison sentence by confining them to hotels regardless of whether they had symptoms.The court said authorities on the islands had treated people as if they were serving a short prison sentence by confining them to hotels regardless of whether they had symptoms.
“The competence to legislate on rights, freedom and guarantees lies with the parliament or the [national] government, and only with those two sovereign bodies,” the court ruled.“The competence to legislate on rights, freedom and guarantees lies with the parliament or the [national] government, and only with those two sovereign bodies,” the court ruled.
The regional government of the Azores had decided in March that all arriving air passengers had to stay in confinement for two weeks in a hotel.The regional government of the Azores had decided in March that all arriving air passengers had to stay in confinement for two weeks in a hotel.
Authorities initially paid for the hotel but those arriving from 8 May onwards were told they had to pay for their own stay.Authorities initially paid for the hotel but those arriving from 8 May onwards were told they had to pay for their own stay.
The constitutional court’s ruling, made on 30 July and made public on Wednesday, came after a man launched a legal appeal over having to quarantine for two weeks in a hotel in Sao Miguel, the Azores’ biggest island.The constitutional court’s ruling, made on 30 July and made public on Wednesday, came after a man launched a legal appeal over having to quarantine for two weeks in a hotel in Sao Miguel, the Azores’ biggest island.
A lower court decided that the man, who had a family home in Sao Miguel, had been deprived of his freedom and ordered authorities to release him immediately.A lower court decided that the man, who had a family home in Sao Miguel, had been deprived of his freedom and ordered authorities to release him immediately.
Court documents state that the man’s meals were sent to his room three times a day, he was not able to see his family or friends, and he had to clean his room himself.Court documents state that the man’s meals were sent to his room three times a day, he was not able to see his family or friends, and he had to clean his room himself.
Most UK holidaymakers would cancel a holiday if they had to wear a mask in public on a trip, according to a YouGov survey released this week. It found that two-thirds of people (65%) would cancel if masks were mandatory at all times, 43% would still cancel if only compulsory inside, while 70% would scrap the holiday if they had to quarantine on return.Most UK holidaymakers would cancel a holiday if they had to wear a mask in public on a trip, according to a YouGov survey released this week. It found that two-thirds of people (65%) would cancel if masks were mandatory at all times, 43% would still cancel if only compulsory inside, while 70% would scrap the holiday if they had to quarantine on return.
The tourism industry continues to face cancellations and redundancies after Spain was removed from the UK government’s travel corridor list on 26 July. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has forecast 3 million job losses across the UK tourism sector, with “uncoordinated” restrictions deterring travellers.The tourism industry continues to face cancellations and redundancies after Spain was removed from the UK government’s travel corridor list on 26 July. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has forecast 3 million job losses across the UK tourism sector, with “uncoordinated” restrictions deterring travellers.
The survey also found that 93% would cancel if quarantine was required on arrival in their holiday destination. Rules on quarantine measures and masks vary from country to country and can change without warning, as spikes in some regions result in restrictions and safety measures being reinstated.The survey also found that 93% would cancel if quarantine was required on arrival in their holiday destination. Rules on quarantine measures and masks vary from country to country and can change without warning, as spikes in some regions result in restrictions and safety measures being reinstated.
You can read the full report from my colleague Antonia Wilson here:You can read the full report from my colleague Antonia Wilson here:
Switzerland has become to latest country to impose a strict quarantine on travellers from Spain to curb the spread of coronavirus.Switzerland has become to latest country to impose a strict quarantine on travellers from Spain to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The 10-day quarantine period does not apply to those arriving from the Balearic and Canary Islands, which have experienced a smaller number of infections than mainland Spain.The 10-day quarantine period does not apply to those arriving from the Balearic and Canary Islands, which have experienced a smaller number of infections than mainland Spain.
The measure will take effect from Saturday, Patrick Mathys, the head of crisis management for the federal public health office, told a briefing in Bern on Wednesday.The measure will take effect from Saturday, Patrick Mathys, the head of crisis management for the federal public health office, told a briefing in Bern on Wednesday.
So far, the UK, Ireland and Norway have imposed quarantine measures on travellers arriving from Spain. Meanwhile, there are travel warnings in place for Spain in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Finland and Poland.So far, the UK, Ireland and Norway have imposed quarantine measures on travellers arriving from Spain. Meanwhile, there are travel warnings in place for Spain in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Finland and Poland.
New restrictions have been imposed in the city of Aberdeen in Scotland following an outbreak. Under the measures, pubs and restaurants have been ordered to close and visitors have been asked to stay away.New restrictions have been imposed in the city of Aberdeen in Scotland following an outbreak. Under the measures, pubs and restaurants have been ordered to close and visitors have been asked to stay away.
“We are at a stage of this pandemic where extreme caution is necessary, and also in my view, sensible,” Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said at a press conference after a meeting with officials.“We are at a stage of this pandemic where extreme caution is necessary, and also in my view, sensible,” Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said at a press conference after a meeting with officials.
Sturgeon advised Aberdeen residents against travelling other than for work or education, and said people should not visit other households. Hospitality venues in Aberdeen will be required to close by 5pm on Wednesday. There is more detail in the UK coronavirus live blog.Sturgeon advised Aberdeen residents against travelling other than for work or education, and said people should not visit other households. Hospitality venues in Aberdeen will be required to close by 5pm on Wednesday. There is more detail in the UK coronavirus live blog.
The Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has blamed “complacency” for the country’s “significant rise” in coronavirus cases in recent days.The Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has blamed “complacency” for the country’s “significant rise” in coronavirus cases in recent days.
In a week deemed crucial for containing further transmission spread, the centre-right leader echoed the mounting concern of infectious disease experts over an abrupt increase in infections. Greek health officials registered 121 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, the most since 22 April.In a week deemed crucial for containing further transmission spread, the centre-right leader echoed the mounting concern of infectious disease experts over an abrupt increase in infections. Greek health officials registered 121 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, the most since 22 April.
In comments made at the start of a teleconference call with health officials handling the response to the pandemic – and before a mini cabinet reshuffle - Mitsotakis appealed to what is seen as the Greeks’ particular sense of honour and pride, saying only 10% of cases had been traced to people entering the country.In comments made at the start of a teleconference call with health officials handling the response to the pandemic – and before a mini cabinet reshuffle - Mitsotakis appealed to what is seen as the Greeks’ particular sense of honour and pride, saying only 10% of cases had been traced to people entering the country.
“In recent days we have seen a significant rise in positive cases which essentially differs, however, from the first wave of the pandemic, and that, naturally, is something that troubles and worries us,” he said. “It must be said that the increase in cases is due mainly to the noted relaxation towards compliance measures within our country in July. And for that I believe we all bear a responsibility. Just 10% of cases are imported; most cases right now are domestic.”“In recent days we have seen a significant rise in positive cases which essentially differs, however, from the first wave of the pandemic, and that, naturally, is something that troubles and worries us,” he said. “It must be said that the increase in cases is due mainly to the noted relaxation towards compliance measures within our country in July. And for that I believe we all bear a responsibility. Just 10% of cases are imported; most cases right now are domestic.”
The government has repeatedly warned it will re-introduce restrictions including local lockdowns if need be. Face coverings have been made compulsory in enclosed spaces, and officials have said masks must be worn in open-air decks on ferries as the country gears up for a mass exodus expected to occur before 15 August – the date of a major religious celebration in the Orthodox calendar.The government has repeatedly warned it will re-introduce restrictions including local lockdowns if need be. Face coverings have been made compulsory in enclosed spaces, and officials have said masks must be worn in open-air decks on ferries as the country gears up for a mass exodus expected to occur before 15 August – the date of a major religious celebration in the Orthodox calendar.
Mitsotakis, who has only intermittently addressed Greeks on the issue of coronavirus, deferring at the height of the initial lockdown to scientists instead, urged citizens not to let down their guard, saying masks should be seen as “a constant companion”. He said face coverings must be donned not only in closed spaces but also outside in circumstances where it is impossible to maintain social distancing. “The mask should now become a constant companion, like our keys, our glasses, our mobile phone,” he added, before calling on Greeks to reject conspiracy theories doing the rounds debunking the efficacy of face coverings and other precautionary measures.Mitsotakis, who has only intermittently addressed Greeks on the issue of coronavirus, deferring at the height of the initial lockdown to scientists instead, urged citizens not to let down their guard, saying masks should be seen as “a constant companion”. He said face coverings must be donned not only in closed spaces but also outside in circumstances where it is impossible to maintain social distancing. “The mask should now become a constant companion, like our keys, our glasses, our mobile phone,” he added, before calling on Greeks to reject conspiracy theories doing the rounds debunking the efficacy of face coverings and other precautionary measures.
The abrupt rise – especially noticeable among younger people in recent weeks – has brought the total number of cases to 4,855, and epidemiologists have described the coming days as make-or-break for the country’s continued ability to keep the virus under control. A total of 209 people have died from Covid-19 related illnesses to date in Greece. Big social gatherings including religious festivals, weddings and baptisms have been linked to the sudden increase in infection rates.The abrupt rise – especially noticeable among younger people in recent weeks – has brought the total number of cases to 4,855, and epidemiologists have described the coming days as make-or-break for the country’s continued ability to keep the virus under control. A total of 209 people have died from Covid-19 related illnesses to date in Greece. Big social gatherings including religious festivals, weddings and baptisms have been linked to the sudden increase in infection rates.
Vietnam has reported an additional 41 new coronavirus cases, bringing the country’s total caseload to 713, with eight deaths.Vietnam has reported an additional 41 new coronavirus cases, bringing the country’s total caseload to 713, with eight deaths.
All but one of the new infections are linked to the tourist hotspot of Danang, where the first locally transmitted coronavirus case in more than three months was detected on 25 July. Earlier on Wednesday, Vietnam’s health ministry reported two other new coronavirus cases.All but one of the new infections are linked to the tourist hotspot of Danang, where the first locally transmitted coronavirus case in more than three months was detected on 25 July. Earlier on Wednesday, Vietnam’s health ministry reported two other new coronavirus cases.
Since the virus resurfaced in Danang, 264 cases have been recorded there, while all eight of the country’s coronavirus-related deaths have occurred in the city.Since the virus resurfaced in Danang, 264 cases have been recorded there, while all eight of the country’s coronavirus-related deaths have occurred in the city.
Infections have since been found in at least 10 other locations in Vietnam.Infections have since been found in at least 10 other locations in Vietnam.
Test results for a man suspected of being North Korea’s first coronavirus case were inconclusive, but authorities have quarantined more than 3,635 primary and secondary contacts, according to a World Health Organization official.Test results for a man suspected of being North Korea’s first coronavirus case were inconclusive, but authorities have quarantined more than 3,635 primary and secondary contacts, according to a World Health Organization official.
On 26 July, the country said it had declared a state of emergency and locked down the border city of Kaesong after a person who defected to South Korea three years ago returned across the fortified border with what state media said were symptoms of Covid-19.On 26 July, the country said it had declared a state of emergency and locked down the border city of Kaesong after a person who defected to South Korea three years ago returned across the fortified border with what state media said were symptoms of Covid-19.
At the time, state media were unclear over whether the man had been tested, saying an “uncertain result was made from several medical checkups”. But the leader, Kim Jong-un, declared that “the vicious virus could be said to have entered the country”.At the time, state media were unclear over whether the man had been tested, saying an “uncertain result was made from several medical checkups”. But the leader, Kim Jong-un, declared that “the vicious virus could be said to have entered the country”.
If confirmed, the case would have been the first officially acknowledged by North Korean authorities, but since then state media have continued to say no cases have been reported.If confirmed, the case would have been the first officially acknowledged by North Korean authorities, but since then state media have continued to say no cases have been reported.
“The person was tested for Covid-19, but test results were inconclusive,” Dr Edwin Salvador, the WHO representative for North Korea, told Reuters on Wednesday.“The person was tested for Covid-19, but test results were inconclusive,” Dr Edwin Salvador, the WHO representative for North Korea, told Reuters on Wednesday.
As many as 64 first contacts and 3,571 secondary contacts of the suspected case have been identified and quarantined in government facilities for a period of 40 days, Salvador said. Kaesong remains under lockdown and household doctors continue to conduct surveillance in the city, he said.As many as 64 first contacts and 3,571 secondary contacts of the suspected case have been identified and quarantined in government facilities for a period of 40 days, Salvador said. Kaesong remains under lockdown and household doctors continue to conduct surveillance in the city, he said.
Despite having no confirmed cases, North Korea had imposed a widespread lockdown and conducted contract tracing, he added.Despite having no confirmed cases, North Korea had imposed a widespread lockdown and conducted contract tracing, he added.
France’s prime minister, Jean Castex, has said the the country’s wine sector, which has faced “major difficulties” due to the pandemic, will receive an extra €250m ($295m) in state support.France’s prime minister, Jean Castex, has said the the country’s wine sector, which has faced “major difficulties” due to the pandemic, will receive an extra €250m ($295m) in state support.
He made the announcement during a visit to the Menetou-Salon and Sancerre vineyards in the Cher department in centre-Val de Loire region. Earlier, Castex had tweeted that state support “must continue and intensify” to save the wine industry from collapse.He made the announcement during a visit to the Menetou-Salon and Sancerre vineyards in the Cher department in centre-Val de Loire region. Earlier, Castex had tweeted that state support “must continue and intensify” to save the wine industry from collapse.
A new Covid-19 outbreak in Vietnam has spread to two more provinces, while the country’s coronavirus taskforce has declared the contagion “under control” in the central city where the outbreak began.
Aggressive contact-tracing, targeted testing and strict quarantining had helped Vietnam contain earlier outbreaks, but it is now battling infections in at least 10 cities and provinces, after going more than three months without domestic transmission.
The health ministry confirmed two new cases on Wednesday, bringing Vietnam’s total infections to 672, with eight deaths.
The new outbreak was first reported on 25 July in the tourist resort city of Danang and has spread to major urban centres including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which have since closed entertainment venues, restricted gatherings and tested tens of thousands of people.
The health minister, Nguyen Thanh Long, told state media on Wednesday that the outbreak had expanded to the provinces of Bac Giang, near Hanoi, and Lang Son, bordering China, both linked to the Danang infections.
State media and government officials have made strong statements against illegal immigration since the new outbreak, but no official links have been made.
The government’s Covid-19 steering committee said late on Tuesday that the outbreak in Danang, currently under lockdown alongside Quang Nam province, was under control. The source of the outbreak remains unclear.
All but six of its cases had been traced to three of the city’s hospitals, the committee said, and the six had not infected anyone else.
“The second wave of the pandemic may be happening elsewhere in the world, but we are determined to not let that happen in Vietnam,” the committee’s head, Vu Duc Dam, said in the statement, which predicted more cases and deaths ahead.
The BBC has an interesting story that is sure to provoke debate. It reports that Sweden, which avoided a lockdown during the height of the pandemic, has been less hard hit economically than its European neighbours.
Sweden’s economy shrank by 8.6% in the April-to-June period compared with the previous three months – the largest quarterly fall for at least 40 years. But the flash estimate from the Swedish statistics office indicated that the country fared better than other EU nations that took stricter measures.
The EU saw a contraction of 11.9% for the same period. Individual nations did even worse, with Spain seeing an 18.5% contraction and France and Italy 13.8% and 12.4% respectively.
Statistics Sweden said:
Nordea bank’s chief analyst Torbjorn Isaksson said:
That’s it from me today, I’ll leave you in the capable hands of my colleague Amy Walker.
The Czech Republic reported its biggest daily jump in coronavirus cases since the end of June, Reuters reports. The 290 new cases brought the total number detected to 17,286. The country has recorded 383 deaths.
Almost a quarter of the new cases, 77, were in the eastern region of Moravia-Silesia, bordering Poland, where many cases have appeared recently among miners and their families.
The overall number of active cases reached 5,091. Some epidemiologists have suggested that the virus has weakened, pointing to a relatively low number of people being hospitalised, currently totalling 123. The daily number of people who have died in connection with the coronavirus has been below five since 20 May.
However, health officials have cautioned that some measures taken to curb the illness are likely to return after the summer holidays when cities will be more crowded and the flu season begins.
Prague’s chief public health officer, Zdenka Jagrova, told the daily paper Pravo that people in the capital would definitely be required to wear face masks again at some point inside public spaces such as shopping malls and on public transport.
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.
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.
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 shortened with the exclusion of Malta, Cyprus, San Marino, Gibraltar and Monaco.
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 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.
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.
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.
Chris Williamson, the 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.
As people ventured out to bars and restaurants, the services PMI rose from 48.3 to 54.7, 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.
The health minister Maksym Stepanov urged people to obey broader restrictions that are still in place. In a televised briefing, he said:
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 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 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.
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?
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 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?
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.
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?
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 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?
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.
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.
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.