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Coronavirus live news: New Zealand's biggest city back in lockdown as global deaths pass 740,000 Coronavirus live news: New Zealand's biggest city back in lockdown as global deaths pass 740,000
(32 minutes later)
WHO warns displacement of people in Beirut risks accelerating Covid-19 spread; four new cases in Auckland, New Zealand; Australia suffers deadliest day. Follow the latest updatesWHO warns displacement of people in Beirut risks accelerating Covid-19 spread; four new cases in Auckland, New Zealand; Australia suffers deadliest day. Follow the latest updates
Phil Taylor reports for the Guardian from Auckland:
In the hours immediately before Auckland went into Level 3 lockdown at noon on Wednesday, the city’s roads were full, queues snaked outside supermarkets and toilet paper flew off the shelves once more.
People hurried to stock up and carry out last-minute tasks in the knowledge that the luck for one of the very few countries that appeared to have contained coronavirus had changed.
Mary Robson, 77, said having to remain indoors again was sad, “but it’s a wise decision. I will do that but I’m old school - born during the war years”.
The Guardian met her just after she lost her bank card. Robson handed a fish merchant $5 - all the cash she had with her - only to be given a bag of fillets and her money back.
“Kiwi spirit,” said Robson, a widow of 45 years, “I love it.”
She was shopping at Manukau City, the commercial hub of south Auckland, home to four people from the same family whose positive tests for Covid-19 prompted the new stage 3 lockdown:
With that, the press conference in New Zealand is over.
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, has told those who live in Auckland, the country’s largest city that they should cover their faces every time they leave their home – the first time New Zealanders have been required to do so. This is in response to the outbreak of community transmission in the country, with four confirmed and four probable cases. Ardern said today that supermarkets were selling masks, and people could make their own or wear any fabric, like a scarf, over their noses and mouths. Masks are not legally mandated. She said the government would release 1m masks from its stockpile to be distributed to those who could not access or afford them – mainly via social services providers, or in food parcels. The rest of New Zealand, she said, should cover their faces if they are in an environment where physical distancing is a problem – such as on public transport.
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, says she needs “time to fully consider” the situation around the country’s fresh Covid-19 outbreak before she considers a call from the leader of the opposition to delay the 19 September election date.She said she was focused on the health and jobs response. Earlier, Judith Collins, the parliamentary opposition leader, had called for a delay to the vote. Collins took over as the leader of the centre-right National party last month.It was “unsustainable to expect there to be a fair and just election” when parties were not free to campaign, and the public had “no certainty” about whether they could publicly cast their vote, Collins said. She urged Ardern to postpone the election until November, which could be done relatively easily, she added. A later vote was more complex, but Collins suggested an election in 2021 might be preferable. Ardern said it was too early – 24 hours after the fresh cases had been diagnosed – to make a decision. She has deferred until Monday the dissolution of Parliament, and expects to consider a decision about the election before then.Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, says she needs “time to fully consider” the situation around the country’s fresh Covid-19 outbreak before she considers a call from the leader of the opposition to delay the 19 September election date.She said she was focused on the health and jobs response. Earlier, Judith Collins, the parliamentary opposition leader, had called for a delay to the vote. Collins took over as the leader of the centre-right National party last month.It was “unsustainable to expect there to be a fair and just election” when parties were not free to campaign, and the public had “no certainty” about whether they could publicly cast their vote, Collins said. She urged Ardern to postpone the election until November, which could be done relatively easily, she added. A later vote was more complex, but Collins suggested an election in 2021 might be preferable. Ardern said it was too early – 24 hours after the fresh cases had been diagnosed – to make a decision. She has deferred until Monday the dissolution of Parliament, and expects to consider a decision about the election before then.
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, has referenced Australia’s infection numbers in a stark warning to her country about following the lockdown rules. “There were 322 new cases of Covid-19 in Australia yesterday,” she said. “Our response to the virus so far has worked,” she added. “We all want to get back there as soon as we can but success relies on us all working together.”Again referencing Australia, she said: “We don’t need to look far to know what it will mean if we don’t get on top of it.”New Zealand has registered four confirmed and four probable cases of Covid-19 in the community. Others are contained at quarantine facilities for returning travellers. Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, has referenced Australia’s infection numbers in a stark warning to her country about following the lockdown rules.
“There were 322 new cases of Covid-19 in Australia yesterday,” she said. “Our response to the virus so far has worked,” she added. “We all want to get back there as soon as we can but success relies on us all working together.”Again referencing Australia, she said: “We don’t need to look far to know what it will mean if we don’t get on top of it.”New Zealand has registered four confirmed and four probable cases of Covid-19 in the community. Others are contained at quarantine facilities for returning travellers.
Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, said it would now be mandatory for businesses to prominently display QR codes for the government’s contact-tracing app. The app, and the QR code posters for businesses, have been entirely optional thus far, and uptake has been slow. But it will now be compulsory for firms to display them. That’s in response to the fresh outbreak of Covid-19 transmitted within the city of Auckland.Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, said it would now be mandatory for businesses to prominently display QR codes for the government’s contact-tracing app. The app, and the QR code posters for businesses, have been entirely optional thus far, and uptake has been slow. But it will now be compulsory for firms to display them. That’s in response to the fresh outbreak of Covid-19 transmitted within the city of Auckland.
Ashley Bloomfield, New Zealand’s top health official, has taken the rare and serious step of making an order that certain people in Auckland remain at home and in isolation – and stay isolated until they are contacted by health officials with the contact tracing service.Ashley Bloomfield, New Zealand’s top health official, has taken the rare and serious step of making an order that certain people in Auckland remain at home and in isolation – and stay isolated until they are contacted by health officials with the contact tracing service.
These are people who could be connected to the four confirmed cases of Covid-19 transmitted in the community in New Zealand’s largest city. They are:These are people who could be connected to the four confirmed cases of Covid-19 transmitted in the community in New Zealand’s largest city. They are:
Any employees or contractors of the firms Americold in the area of Mt Wellington, or Finance Now in Dominion Road.Any employees or contractors of the firms Americold in the area of Mt Wellington, or Finance Now in Dominion Road.
Any visitors to those workplaces in the past 14 days.Any visitors to those workplaces in the past 14 days.
Anyone who lives with those employees or contractors.Anyone who lives with those employees or contractors.
There are four more “probable” cases of Covid-19 transmitted in the community in Auckland, New Zealand, in addition to the four instances confirmed yesterday, the country’s top health official, Ashley Bloomfield said. Bloomfield is giving an update at Parliament in Wellington, after yesterday’s four locally transmitted cases – the first in New Zealand in more than 100 days – prompted a strict lockdown of the largest city, Auckland. The four probable cases are linked to yesterday’s four. All have Covid-19 symptoms and are awaiting test results. All four, as well as yesterday’s confirmed cases, are in isolation at home.There are four more “probable” cases of Covid-19 transmitted in the community in Auckland, New Zealand, in addition to the four instances confirmed yesterday, the country’s top health official, Ashley Bloomfield said. Bloomfield is giving an update at Parliament in Wellington, after yesterday’s four locally transmitted cases – the first in New Zealand in more than 100 days – prompted a strict lockdown of the largest city, Auckland. The four probable cases are linked to yesterday’s four. All have Covid-19 symptoms and are awaiting test results. All four, as well as yesterday’s confirmed cases, are in isolation at home.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is speaking now with Dr Ashley Bloomfield, the country’s top health official.New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is speaking now with Dr Ashley Bloomfield, the country’s top health official.
You can watch the New Zealand press conference live here when it begins:You can watch the New Zealand press conference live here when it begins:
New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, and the country’s top health official, Ashley Bloomfield, are due to give a news conference beginning shortly, at 4pm local time (2pm AEST). The pair is expected to provide an update on any new community-spread cases of Covid-19 in the country after four were diagnosed yesterday, prompting a strict lockdown for the city of Auckland. The Guardian will bring you the latest from the news conference.New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, and the country’s top health official, Ashley Bloomfield, are due to give a news conference beginning shortly, at 4pm local time (2pm AEST). The pair is expected to provide an update on any new community-spread cases of Covid-19 in the country after four were diagnosed yesterday, prompting a strict lockdown for the city of Auckland. The Guardian will bring you the latest from the news conference.
More than half of Victoria’s active cases of Covid-19 are in people aged 39 years old and younger, while less than 6% of the state’s deaths have been in the same age group, data from the Department of Health shows.More than half of Victoria’s active cases of Covid-19 are in people aged 39 years old and younger, while less than 6% of the state’s deaths have been in the same age group, data from the Department of Health shows.
The data included all cases of the virus and deaths up to 11 August. The age group with the highest amount of active cases is 20-29 years, with 1,823 infections. There have been no deaths in the state in this age group. Four deaths have occurred in those aged 30-39, while one death occurred in the 40-49 age group. Those aged between 0 and 39 comprise 54.9% of all active cases.The data included all cases of the virus and deaths up to 11 August. The age group with the highest amount of active cases is 20-29 years, with 1,823 infections. There have been no deaths in the state in this age group. Four deaths have occurred in those aged 30-39, while one death occurred in the 40-49 age group. Those aged between 0 and 39 comprise 54.9% of all active cases.
Meanwhile, 103 people in their 80s and 47 people in their 70s have died. On Thursday the premier, Daniel Andrews, said of the 21 deaths overnight – the state’s deadliest 24 hours to date – 11 were aged in their 80s:Meanwhile, 103 people in their 80s and 47 people in their 70s have died. On Thursday the premier, Daniel Andrews, said of the 21 deaths overnight – the state’s deadliest 24 hours to date – 11 were aged in their 80s:
Podcast: How one hotel outbreak of Covid-19 put an Australian state back in lockdownPodcast: How one hotel outbreak of Covid-19 put an Australian state back in lockdown
Melbourne bureau chief, Melissa Davey, discusses life under a second lockdown after a hotel security breach in Victoria caused a resurgence of coronavirus cases:Melbourne bureau chief, Melissa Davey, discusses life under a second lockdown after a hotel security breach in Victoria caused a resurgence of coronavirus cases:
Judith Collins, New Zealand’s parliamentary opposition leader, has called for a delay to the country’s 19 September election to November, after fresh cases of Covid-19 in the country prompted a strict lockdown of the largest city, Auckland. Collins, who took over as the leader of the centre-right National party last month, is speaking to reporters at Parliament in Wellington. It was “unsustainable to expect there to be a fair and just election” when parties were not free to campaign, and the public had “no certainty” about whether they could publicly cast their vote. She urged Ardern to postpone the election until November, which could be done relatively easily. A later vote was more complex, but Collins suggested an election in 2021 might be preferable. Auckland was placed in lockdown, with lesser restrictions on the rest of the country, after four fresh cases were diagnosed in the community. There had been no community transmission for more than 100 days.Judith Collins, New Zealand’s parliamentary opposition leader, has called for a delay to the country’s 19 September election to November, after fresh cases of Covid-19 in the country prompted a strict lockdown of the largest city, Auckland. Collins, who took over as the leader of the centre-right National party last month, is speaking to reporters at Parliament in Wellington. It was “unsustainable to expect there to be a fair and just election” when parties were not free to campaign, and the public had “no certainty” about whether they could publicly cast their vote. She urged Ardern to postpone the election until November, which could be done relatively easily. A later vote was more complex, but Collins suggested an election in 2021 might be preferable. Auckland was placed in lockdown, with lesser restrictions on the rest of the country, after four fresh cases were diagnosed in the community. There had been no community transmission for more than 100 days.
Collins claimed she had received “absolutely no transparency” and had not been consulted properly by Ardern before the lockdown was announced. She said her shadow health spokesperson had been unable to secure a briefing from Ardern’s health minister. Ardern, the leader of the centre-left Labour party, earlier said that it was too early to say whether the date of the vote would be postponed.She deferred the dissolution of Parliament, due to happen on Wednesday NZT, to Monday instead, due to the fresh outbreak. Dissolving Parliament means Cabinet can still make decisions but the full Parliament cannot be convened.Collins claimed she had received “absolutely no transparency” and had not been consulted properly by Ardern before the lockdown was announced. She said her shadow health spokesperson had been unable to secure a briefing from Ardern’s health minister. Ardern, the leader of the centre-left Labour party, earlier said that it was too early to say whether the date of the vote would be postponed.She deferred the dissolution of Parliament, due to happen on Wednesday NZT, to Monday instead, due to the fresh outbreak. Dissolving Parliament means Cabinet can still make decisions but the full Parliament cannot be convened.
‘If I give up, all my effort is for nothing’: international students thrown into Melbourne lockdown despair‘If I give up, all my effort is for nothing’: international students thrown into Melbourne lockdown despair
Nibarchana Oli has tried to avoid thinking about the prospect that she might soon be, as she puts it, “sitting on the road”.Nibarchana Oli has tried to avoid thinking about the prospect that she might soon be, as she puts it, “sitting on the road”.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she says. “We don’t have money and we don’t know how we are going to pay rent for next month.”“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” she says. “We don’t have money and we don’t know how we are going to pay rent for next month.”
Oli, 19, is an international student from Ghorani, Nepal and is in her first year of a three-year IT degree at the Melbourne campus of a university based in another state.Oli, 19, is an international student from Ghorani, Nepal and is in her first year of a three-year IT degree at the Melbourne campus of a university based in another state.
Almost half of Australian PhD students considering disengaging from studies due to pandemicRead moreAlmost half of Australian PhD students considering disengaging from studies due to pandemicRead more
She arrived in Australia in February, just before the coronavirus took hold and the lockdowns that followed dispensed with her chances of getting a job.She arrived in Australia in February, just before the coronavirus took hold and the lockdowns that followed dispensed with her chances of getting a job.
With that, Oli has seen her savings reduced to about $400, she says. That is also how much she pays each month for a shared room in a modest house in St Albans, in Melbourne’s west. She shares the place with seven other Nepali students who are all in similar positions.With that, Oli has seen her savings reduced to about $400, she says. That is also how much she pays each month for a shared room in a modest house in St Albans, in Melbourne’s west. She shares the place with seven other Nepali students who are all in similar positions.
“It’s a really hard situation right now,” Oli says. “We are all jobless.”“It’s a really hard situation right now,” Oli says. “We are all jobless.”
A range of organisations, large and small, is supporting some of Melbourne’s 200,000 international students with food parcels and other essential items:A range of organisations, large and small, is supporting some of Melbourne’s 200,000 international students with food parcels and other essential items:
On Russia’s claims of having developed a vaccine, US health secretary Azar sounded sceptical.On Russia’s claims of having developed a vaccine, US health secretary Azar sounded sceptical.
“It’s important we provide safe, effective vaccines and that the data be transparent,” he said, adding that US vaccines would be well researched and ethically developed, with transparent data reviewed by outside experts.“It’s important we provide safe, effective vaccines and that the data be transparent,” he said, adding that US vaccines would be well researched and ethically developed, with transparent data reviewed by outside experts.