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Coronavirus live news: Spain sees highest daily cases since June; Greece blames complacency for infections rise Coronavirus live news: Spain sees highest daily cases since June; Greece blames complacency for infections rise
(32 minutes later)
Cases today an increase from yesterday’s number; Greek health officials register highest number of new cases since 22 April; one death every 15 seconds around the world as cases riseCases today an increase from yesterday’s number; Greek health officials register highest number of new cases since 22 April; one death every 15 seconds around the world as cases rise
Spain has recorded 1,722 new cases of coronavirus, the highest daily count since a national lockdown was lifted in June. The figures, which do not include data from two regions, sharply rose from Tuesday, while one more death was registered, bringing the country’s official death tally to 28,499.
Greece’s prime minister blamed “complacency” for the country’s “significant rise” in cases in recent days. Kyriakos Mitsotakis has warned tighter measures could be brought in to curb the spread of coronavirus after Greek officials registered 121 new infections on Tuesday, the most since 22 April.
The regional government in the Canary Islands will cover coronavirus-related costs to Spanish and foreign tourists. It is hoped the announcement, which includes health expenses or the extension of holidays in case of a compulsory quarantine while on the islands, will help rescue the tourist season after a spike in infections in Spain.
One of Brazil’s most important indigenous leaders has died of Covid-19. Aritana Yawalapit, 71, who spent decades fighting for the rights of indigenous communities, died in a hospital in the state of Goiânia after a fortnight in intensive care.
Switzerland has imposed a 10-day quarantine on travellers from Spain. It is the latest country to put travel warnings in place for people arriving from Spain, following a surge in new coronavirus infections there. The UK reimposed a 14-day quarantine on travellers from Spain on 27 July.
A new coronavirus outbreak in Vietnam has spread to two more provinces. The country reported 43 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing its total to 713. Most of the new infections have been linked to Vietnam’s coronavirus epicentre Danang, but Bac Giang and Lang Son are also said to be experiencing an uptick in cases.
Reuters has published an interesting roundup of some of the latest scientific studies and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for Covid-19.
Convalescent plasma lowers Covid-19 death risk
Infusions of antibody-rich blood plasma from people who have recovered from the new coronavirus, known as convalescent plasma, can lower the risk of death for hospitalised patients, according to a pooled analysis of data from eight earlier studies of more than 700 hospitalised patients around the world. Researchers found that mortality rates were roughly 13% in patients who received convalescent plasma versus about 25% for those who did not get the treatment.
The current study could not account for differences in factors such as how sick patients were, how much plasma they received, how long they were sick before the received it, and how long doctors followed them afterward.
Exposure to common colds may impact virus severity
In patients with Covid-19, the immune system’s T cells learn to recognise and target the new coronavirus. But some people who were never infected with the virus nonetheless have T cells that also recognise it. Researchers had suspected that in these individuals, past exposure to other coronaviruses, such as those that cause the common cold, had somehow primed their T cells to recognise and attack the new coronavirus, and new research appears to confirm that. In studies of human blood samples collected well before the new coronavirus was discovered, researchers found T cells that were equally reactive against the new virus and four types of common cold coronaviruses. . It is plausible to think that previous exposure to common cold viruses might contribute to variations in COVID-19 severity, researchers said on Tuesday in the journal Science.
Severe Covid-19 may be less deadly in children
Children with coronavirus rarely become critically ill, and when they do, they tend to have better outcomes than adults, based on early data from an ongoing study. The Critical Coronavirus and Kids Epidemiology (CAKE) study involves 65 paediatric intensive care units in 18 countries. In a paper published on Wednesday in the journal Pediatrics, the study team reported on the first 17 children with severe COVID-19 from 10 hospitals in Chile, Colombia, Italy, Spain and the United States. Most required respiratory support, with nearly half needing to be put on ventilators. Symptoms were varied, with fever, cough and gastrointestinal issues common. Overall, one child died, four developed inflammation of the heart and three remain hospitalised.
The investigators hope to have more data soon that will provide additional information on the care and outcomes of these patients, which may become more important as schools reopen around the world.
All Spanish and foreign tourists visiting the Canary Islands will have any potential coronavirus-related costs covered by the regional government, it said on Wednesday, in an attempt to rescue the tourist season after a new spike in infections in Spain.All Spanish and foreign tourists visiting the Canary Islands will have any potential coronavirus-related costs covered by the regional government, it said on Wednesday, in an attempt to rescue the tourist season after a new spike in infections in Spain.
Such costs include health expenses or the extension of holidays in case of a compulsory quarantine while on the islands.Such costs include health expenses or the extension of holidays in case of a compulsory quarantine while on the islands.
The move will take effect this week and is the first of its kind in Spain as the tourism-dependent nation seeks to reassure visitors after Britain dealt a blow to the sector by imposing a compulsory quarantine for anyone coming from Spain.The move will take effect this week and is the first of its kind in Spain as the tourism-dependent nation seeks to reassure visitors after Britain dealt a blow to the sector by imposing a compulsory quarantine for anyone coming from Spain.
The travel policy will be managed by French insurer AXA and will include health-related repatriations, the Canary Islands regional government said in a statement. It will last for one year and will exclude health conditions that were known of before the traveller concerned came to the islands.The travel policy will be managed by French insurer AXA and will include health-related repatriations, the Canary Islands regional government said in a statement. It will last for one year and will exclude health conditions that were known of before the traveller concerned came to the islands.
“It will help the economic recovery of the archipelago,” Yaiza Castilla, the regional official in charge of tourism, said in a video published on Twitter.“It will help the economic recovery of the archipelago,” Yaiza Castilla, the regional official in charge of tourism, said in a video published on Twitter.
In a relief for the Canary Islands, Swiss health authorities on Wednesday excluded the archipelago, as well as the Balearic Islands, from its decision to add Spain to its list of countries from which arriving passengers must enter a 10-day quarantine.In a relief for the Canary Islands, Swiss health authorities on Wednesday excluded the archipelago, as well as the Balearic Islands, from its decision to add Spain to its list of countries from which arriving passengers must enter a 10-day quarantine.
Spain reported 1,772 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, marking the biggest daily jump since a national lockdown was lifted in June following a sharp drop in contagion rates.Spain reported 1,772 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, marking the biggest daily jump since a national lockdown was lifted in June following a sharp drop in contagion rates.
More than 18.63 million people have been reported to be infected with Covid-19 globally and 701,506 have died, according to a Reuters tally published on Wednesday afternoon.More than 18.63 million people have been reported to be infected with Covid-19 globally and 701,506 have died, according to a Reuters tally published on Wednesday afternoon.
Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.
One of Brazil’s most important indigenous leaders, Aritana Yawalapit, has died of Covid-19, triggering an outpouring of anger and grief and highlighting the pandemic’s threat to descendants of South America’s original inhabitants.The 71-year-old cacique (chief) - who spent decades fighting for the rights of indigenous communities - died in a hospital in the midwestern state of Goiânia after about a fortnight in intensive care.He fell ill last month at his home in the Xingu, Brazil’s oldest and most famous indigenous reserve.One of Brazil’s most important indigenous leaders, Aritana Yawalapit, has died of Covid-19, triggering an outpouring of anger and grief and highlighting the pandemic’s threat to descendants of South America’s original inhabitants.The 71-year-old cacique (chief) - who spent decades fighting for the rights of indigenous communities - died in a hospital in the midwestern state of Goiânia after about a fortnight in intensive care.He fell ill last month at his home in the Xingu, Brazil’s oldest and most famous indigenous reserve.
The death of the Yawalapiti leader sparked an immediate outcry in Brazil, where nearly 100,000 people have now died because of the epidemic and there is growing anger over president Jair Bolsonaro’s botched response.The death of the Yawalapiti leader sparked an immediate outcry in Brazil, where nearly 100,000 people have now died because of the epidemic and there is growing anger over president Jair Bolsonaro’s botched response.
The victims include hundreds of indigenous people, who are feared to be particularly vulnerable to the virus.The victims include hundreds of indigenous people, who are feared to be particularly vulnerable to the virus.
Edmilson Rodrigues, a left-wing politician in the Amazon, tweeted: “What is happening to the indigenous peoples is so enormously sad [and] Bolsonaro is the main culprit for these deaths because he blocked the plan to deal with Covid in the indigenous territories. This is a genocide!”Edmilson Rodrigues, a left-wing politician in the Amazon, tweeted: “What is happening to the indigenous peoples is so enormously sad [and] Bolsonaro is the main culprit for these deaths because he blocked the plan to deal with Covid in the indigenous territories. This is a genocide!”
Luciano Huck, a famous television presenter who is widely thought to have presidential ambitions, tweeted: “Yet another personal tragedy in this national tragedy. Soon Brazil will have suffered 100,000 deaths. It is unbelievable because these deaths could have been avoided - had we tackled the virus with responsibility and coordination.”Luciano Huck, a famous television presenter who is widely thought to have presidential ambitions, tweeted: “Yet another personal tragedy in this national tragedy. Soon Brazil will have suffered 100,000 deaths. It is unbelievable because these deaths could have been avoided - had we tackled the virus with responsibility and coordination.”
Spain today reported 1,772 new coronavirus infections, the highest daily increase since a national lockdown was lifted in June and beating the previous day’s record rise, Reuters reports:Spain today reported 1,772 new coronavirus infections, the highest daily increase since a national lockdown was lifted in June and beating the previous day’s record rise, Reuters reports:
Amsterdam has begun ordering the use of face masks in crowded areas, including in its red light district.Amsterdam has begun ordering the use of face masks in crowded areas, including in its red light district.
Last week the Dutch government decided not to advise the public to wear masks, saying their effectiveness against the disease has not been proven and they may weaken adherence to social distancing rules.Last week the Dutch government decided not to advise the public to wear masks, saying their effectiveness against the disease has not been proven and they may weaken adherence to social distancing rules.
The World Health Organization has recommended using masks in areas where it is impossible to maintain social distancing since JuneThe World Health Organization has recommended using masks in areas where it is impossible to maintain social distancing since June
Amsterdam’s mayor, Femke Halsema, ordered the measure in agreement with health authorities as part of an experiment to see whether they may be effective after all, as some scientific studies have found, her spokesman said. Sebastiaan Meijer said:Amsterdam’s mayor, Femke Halsema, ordered the measure in agreement with health authorities as part of an experiment to see whether they may be effective after all, as some scientific studies have found, her spokesman said. Sebastiaan Meijer said:
City workers handed out leaflets to tourists and residents explaining the new rules. Failure to wear a mask could lead to a fine of €95.City workers handed out leaflets to tourists and residents explaining the new rules. Failure to wear a mask could lead to a fine of €95.
Like other European countries, the Netherlands is facing a rise in coronavirus cases after it eased lockdown measures on 1 July. On Tuesday, health authorities reported that new cases had doubled in the past week to 2,588, with clusters among young adults and in major cities.Like other European countries, the Netherlands is facing a rise in coronavirus cases after it eased lockdown measures on 1 July. On Tuesday, health authorities reported that new cases had doubled in the past week to 2,588, with clusters among young adults and in major cities.
In the past week Amsterdam has ordered the closure of several bars and one strip club where clusters were detected among staff and recent customers.In the past week Amsterdam has ordered the closure of several bars and one strip club where clusters were detected among staff and recent customers.
The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, is cutting short a vacation to address the country on Thursday about the rising number of cases.The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, is cutting short a vacation to address the country on Thursday about the rising number of cases.
One of Belgium’s biggest meat processing plants has sent 225 staff home to quarantine after a cluster of coronavirus cases was discovered, the firm and the local mayor said.One of Belgium’s biggest meat processing plants has sent 225 staff home to quarantine after a cluster of coronavirus cases was discovered, the firm and the local mayor said.
Abbatoirs and meat-packing plants have become infection hotspots in other countries, and the big Westvlees facility in Staden, in north-west Belgium, is the latest to come under scrutiny.Abbatoirs and meat-packing plants have become infection hotspots in other countries, and the big Westvlees facility in Staden, in north-west Belgium, is the latest to come under scrutiny.
The bourgmestre or mayor of Staden, Francesco Vanderjeugd, told AFP that six confirmed cases had been reported earlier in the day and that the number had risen to 18 within hours.The bourgmestre or mayor of Staden, Francesco Vanderjeugd, told AFP that six confirmed cases had been reported earlier in the day and that the number had risen to 18 within hours.
Two of the initial six cases were cross-border workers from France, two came from Staden and two from elsewhere in West Flanders, he added.Two of the initial six cases were cross-border workers from France, two came from Staden and two from elsewhere in West Flanders, he added.
According to a Westvlees spokesman, Manuel Goderis, a number of cases of Covid-19 infection were discovered in recent days in the pork-cutting section of the plant, which employs 225 of the more than 800 workers on site.According to a Westvlees spokesman, Manuel Goderis, a number of cases of Covid-19 infection were discovered in recent days in the pork-cutting section of the plant, which employs 225 of the more than 800 workers on site.
“We decided not to take any risks and to test all the employees of this production unit and to put them in quarantine,” he said. The workers were tested today and results are expected on Thursday.“We decided not to take any risks and to test all the employees of this production unit and to put them in quarantine,” he said. The workers were tested today and results are expected on Thursday.
Westvlees is one of Europe’s biggest producers of fresh and processed pork. It butchers 1.4 million pigs per year and supplies 140,000 tonnes of meat to clients worldwide.Westvlees is one of Europe’s biggest producers of fresh and processed pork. It butchers 1.4 million pigs per year and supplies 140,000 tonnes of meat to clients worldwide.
Belgium has one of the highest per capita rates of Covid-19 in the world and infection rates are again rising after earlier success in bringing the epidemic under control. Out of a population of around 11 million, 9,852 have died.Belgium has one of the highest per capita rates of Covid-19 in the world and infection rates are again rising after earlier success in bringing the epidemic under control. Out of a population of around 11 million, 9,852 have died.
Quarantine checkpoints are to be put up at key entry points to New York City to ensure that travellers from 35 states comply with its 14-day quarantine, mayor Bill de Blasio has said.Quarantine checkpoints are to be put up at key entry points to New York City to ensure that travellers from 35 states comply with its 14-day quarantine, mayor Bill de Blasio has said.
“Travellers coming in from those states will be given information about the quarantine and will be reminded that it is required, not optional,” de Blasio told a news briefing.“Travellers coming in from those states will be given information about the quarantine and will be reminded that it is required, not optional,” de Blasio told a news briefing.
He added that under certain circumstances fines for not observing the quarantine order could be as high as $10,000.He added that under certain circumstances fines for not observing the quarantine order could be as high as $10,000.
The sheriff’s office, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, will begin deploying checkpoints at major bridge and tunnel crossings into the city on Wednesday.The sheriff’s office, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, will begin deploying checkpoints at major bridge and tunnel crossings into the city on Wednesday.
“This is serious stuff and it’s time for everyone to realise that if we’re going to hold at this level of health and safety in this city, and get better, we have to deal with the fact that the quarantine must be applied consistently to anyone who’s travelled,” de Blasio said.“This is serious stuff and it’s time for everyone to realise that if we’re going to hold at this level of health and safety in this city, and get better, we have to deal with the fact that the quarantine must be applied consistently to anyone who’s travelled,” de Blasio said.
The 350,000 students who attend Chicago public schools, the third largest district in the US, will start the school year by taking all of their classes remotely amid the Covid-19 pandemic, school officials said on Wednesday.The 350,000 students who attend Chicago public schools, the third largest district in the US, will start the school year by taking all of their classes remotely amid the Covid-19 pandemic, school officials said on Wednesday.
The decision to go to all-remote learning came after the city saw an uptick in virus cases in recent weeks that made public health officials concerned about the implications of in-person learning, Chicago Public Schools said in a statement.The decision to go to all-remote learning came after the city saw an uptick in virus cases in recent weeks that made public health officials concerned about the implications of in-person learning, Chicago Public Schools said in a statement.
The French government has been criticised over its free-for-all Covid-19 testing policy as queues snaked out of some testing centres in Paris and at sites across the country amid a flare-up in infections.The French government has been criticised over its free-for-all Covid-19 testing policy as queues snaked out of some testing centres in Paris and at sites across the country amid a flare-up in infections.
One leading federation of laboratories said an abrupt decree on 25 July to make testing free of charge and without prescription had piled on the pressure at a time many staff go on holiday. Political opponents lampooned a policy in disarray.One leading federation of laboratories said an abrupt decree on 25 July to make testing free of charge and without prescription had piled on the pressure at a time many staff go on holiday. Political opponents lampooned a policy in disarray.
“Testing anyone achieves nothing. You have to be targeted,” Didier Pittet, an epidemiologist who heads a government-appointed taskforce monitoring the handling of Covid-19, told Europe 1 radio.“Testing anyone achieves nothing. You have to be targeted,” Didier Pittet, an epidemiologist who heads a government-appointed taskforce monitoring the handling of Covid-19, told Europe 1 radio.
France, like many of its European neighbours, is witnessing a mushrooming of new coronavirus clusters.France, like many of its European neighbours, is witnessing a mushrooming of new coronavirus clusters.
The number of coronavirus patients in intensive care rose for a second straight day on Tuesday, reversing a 16-week downward trend. The disease has killed more than 30,000 people in France.The number of coronavirus patients in intensive care rose for a second straight day on Tuesday, reversing a 16-week downward trend. The disease has killed more than 30,000 people in France.
France is now testing around 576,000 people per week, a health ministry spokesman told Reuters on Wednesday, compared with 200,000 when President Emmanuel Macron began easing one of Europe’s strictest lockdowns.France is now testing around 576,000 people per week, a health ministry spokesman told Reuters on Wednesday, compared with 200,000 when President Emmanuel Macron began easing one of Europe’s strictest lockdowns.
The health minister, Olivier Véran, said over the weekend that the strategy was working. “The virus is no longer tracking us, we are tracking it,” he told Le Parisien. The ministry’s spokesman acknowledged “localised problems” but was adamant that France had chosen the right strategy.The health minister, Olivier Véran, said over the weekend that the strategy was working. “The virus is no longer tracking us, we are tracking it,” he told Le Parisien. The ministry’s spokesman acknowledged “localised problems” but was adamant that France had chosen the right strategy.
But Lionel Barrand, who heads the Syndicat National des Jeunes Biologistes, said the open testing strategy amounted to hunting for a needle in a haystack and put laboratories under strain.But Lionel Barrand, who heads the Syndicat National des Jeunes Biologistes, said the open testing strategy amounted to hunting for a needle in a haystack and put laboratories under strain.
“The government threw sand in our wheels. It sent a lot of people to labs without prior warning,” Barrand told Reuters.“The government threw sand in our wheels. It sent a lot of people to labs without prior warning,” Barrand told Reuters.
Covid-19 cases in Gambia, mainland Africa’s smallest country, have surged by more than 60% in the last week, to a total of nearly 800, 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,” said a government spokesman, Ebrima Sankareh.
Gambia will increase police, paramilitary, marine and immigration presence on its border as scores of Senegalese return from celebrating Eid al-Adha at home, he added. Senegal has recorded more than 10,400 cases.
The Gambian health ministry said six people who were confirmed cases were still at large, while two other positive cases had fled from a treatment centre in the capital.
On Sunday the government said three cabinet ministers had tested positive for Covid-19, and the health minister Ahmadou Lamin Samateh is in self-isolation.
The vice-president, Isatou Touray, tested positive on 29 July, leading the president, Adama Barrow, to enter self-isolation. The government said on Tuesday that 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 the prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, and amendments to a military-drafted constitution that critics 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, the deputy director of Nanglerng police, told Reuters.
Asked about his summons, Anon said in a text message that the decree was “a law to gag and stop activism”.
Last month the government said the emergency decree in place since March would only be used as a measure against the coronavirus, and from August onwards 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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 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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.