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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
(30 minutes later)
WHO warns displacement of people in Beirut risks accelerating spread; four new cases in Auckland; Australia suffers deadliest dayWHO warns displacement of people in Beirut risks accelerating spread; four new cases in Auckland; Australia suffers deadliest day
Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said allegations that Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine was unsafe were groundless and driven by competition, Reuters reports citing the Interfax news agency.
On Tuesday, president Vladimir Putin announced that Russia had become the first country to grant regulatory approval to a COVID-19 vaccine, after less than two months of human testing.
Wearing a face mask became compulsory on Wednesday in all public places in Brussels as the number of COVID-19 infections rose, Reuters reports.
The Belgian capital, which hosts the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, recorded on average 50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants daily over the last week, which puts the city among the worst affected in Europe.
Everybody in the city, which has a population of 1.2 million, now has to wear a face mask when in parks, on streets or in any other public sites, as well as in private space accessible to the public, the regional government said.
Until now masks had been compulsory only in crowded public spaces and enclosed sites, such as shopping malls.
Polio vaccination campaigns have resumed in Afghanistan and Pakistan – the last two polio-endemic countries in the world – after a “surge” in cases.Polio vaccination campaigns have resumed in Afghanistan and Pakistan – the last two polio-endemic countries in the world – after a “surge” in cases.
The pandemic halted campaigns in both countries in March and confirmed cases have now reached 34 in Afghanistan and 63 in Pakistan – where cases are being recorded in areas of the country previously free of the disease.The pandemic halted campaigns in both countries in March and confirmed cases have now reached 34 in Afghanistan and 63 in Pakistan – where cases are being recorded in areas of the country previously free of the disease.
According to Afghanistan’s health ministry, most of the new cases this year have been recorded in the southern provinces. “It’s a surge,” said Akmal Samsour, a health ministry spokesperson.According to Afghanistan’s health ministry, most of the new cases this year have been recorded in the southern provinces. “It’s a surge,” said Akmal Samsour, a health ministry spokesperson.
He added:He added:
After coronavirus left an estimated 50 million children without a polio vaccine programmes restarted in three provinces in Afghanistan during July, with a second campaign covering almost half of the country due to start this month. In Pakistan an initial round of vaccinations took place at the end of July, covering about 780,000 children, with a nationwide campaign planned for later this month.After coronavirus left an estimated 50 million children without a polio vaccine programmes restarted in three provinces in Afghanistan during July, with a second campaign covering almost half of the country due to start this month. In Pakistan an initial round of vaccinations took place at the end of July, covering about 780,000 children, with a nationwide campaign planned for later this month.
Pakistani authorities said a three-day campaign would be launched in most districts of the country, plus a longer five-day campaign in Karachi, Peshawar, Khyber and Quetta.Pakistani authorities said a three-day campaign would be launched in most districts of the country, plus a longer five-day campaign in Karachi, Peshawar, Khyber and Quetta.
Victoria has recorded its highest overnight death toll from Covid-19, with 21 deaths and 410 new cases announced on Wednesday as the premier Daniel Andrews expressed concern about continued aged care cases and deaths, and a rise of cases in disability services, among health workers, and in regional areas.Victoria has recorded its highest overnight death toll from Covid-19, with 21 deaths and 410 new cases announced on Wednesday as the premier Daniel Andrews expressed concern about continued aged care cases and deaths, and a rise of cases in disability services, among health workers, and in regional areas.
Australia recorded its deadliest day of the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday and the biggest daily rise in infections in three days, Reuters reports.Australia recorded its deadliest day of the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday and the biggest daily rise in infections in three days, Reuters reports.
Victoria reported 21 deaths - two more than the previous deadliest days earlier this week - and 410 new cases in the past 24 hours. The new cases end a run of three consecutive days with new infections below 400 and dent hopes that a second wave gripping the state of Victoria may be stabilising.Victoria reported 21 deaths - two more than the previous deadliest days earlier this week - and 410 new cases in the past 24 hours. The new cases end a run of three consecutive days with new infections below 400 and dent hopes that a second wave gripping the state of Victoria may be stabilising.
A cluster of infections in Melbourne, the Victorian capital and Australia’s second-largest city, forced authorities last week to impose a night curfew, tighten restrictions on people’s daily movements and order large parts of state economy to close.A cluster of infections in Melbourne, the Victorian capital and Australia’s second-largest city, forced authorities last week to impose a night curfew, tighten restrictions on people’s daily movements and order large parts of state economy to close.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said that while the number of cases were trending down, the impact of the strict new lockdown measures was yet to show up in the case numbers.Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said that while the number of cases were trending down, the impact of the strict new lockdown measures was yet to show up in the case numbers.
He told reporters:He told reporters:
German Health Minister Jens Spahn on Wednesday said Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine had not been sufficiently tested, Reuters reports.German Health Minister Jens Spahn on Wednesday said Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine had not been sufficiently tested, Reuters reports.
President Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday that Russia had become the first country to grant regulatory approval to a COVID-19 vaccine after less than two months of human testing.President Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday that Russia had become the first country to grant regulatory approval to a COVID-19 vaccine after less than two months of human testing.
But Moscow’s decision to grant approval before final trials have been completed has raised concerns.But Moscow’s decision to grant approval before final trials have been completed has raised concerns.
Spahn told radio broadcaster Deutschlandfunk:Spahn told radio broadcaster Deutschlandfunk:
Spahn added it was crucial, even during a pandemic, to carry out proper studies and tests and make the results public to give people confidence in the vaccine.Spahn added it was crucial, even during a pandemic, to carry out proper studies and tests and make the results public to give people confidence in the vaccine.
If you want to find out more information on the UK economy entering the deepest slump on record, follow the business live blog.If you want to find out more information on the UK economy entering the deepest slump on record, follow the business live blog.
Britain’s economy has been officially confirmed in recession for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis as the coronavirus pandemic plunges the country into the deepest slump on record.Britain’s economy has been officially confirmed in recession for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis as the coronavirus pandemic plunges the country into the deepest slump on record.
The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product (GDP), the broadest measure of economic prosperity, fell in the three months to the end of June by 20.4% – the biggest quarterly decline since comparable records began in 1955.The Office for National Statistics said gross domestic product (GDP), the broadest measure of economic prosperity, fell in the three months to the end of June by 20.4% – the biggest quarterly decline since comparable records began in 1955.
After a decline of 2.2% in the first quarter, the figures confirm the UK economy plunged into recession after the outbreak spread in March and the government imposed a nationwide lockdown to contain it. Economists consider two consecutive quarters of shrinking GDP as the technical definition of a recession.After a decline of 2.2% in the first quarter, the figures confirm the UK economy plunged into recession after the outbreak spread in March and the government imposed a nationwide lockdown to contain it. Economists consider two consecutive quarters of shrinking GDP as the technical definition of a recession.
However, monthly figures for the economy indicate that Britain’s economy continued to recover from the pandemic in June as lockdown measures were gradually relaxed and pent-up demand fuelled a rise in consumer spending. GDP grew by 8.7% on the month – faster than expected by City economists.However, monthly figures for the economy indicate that Britain’s economy continued to recover from the pandemic in June as lockdown measures were gradually relaxed and pent-up demand fuelled a rise in consumer spending. GDP grew by 8.7% on the month – faster than expected by City economists.
Morning, I’ll be taking over the liveblog for the next few hours. If you need to get in contact, you can email me (aamna.mohdin@theguardian.com) or tweet me (@aamnamohdin)Morning, I’ll be taking over the liveblog for the next few hours. If you need to get in contact, you can email me (aamna.mohdin@theguardian.com) or tweet me (@aamnamohdin)
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan for today. Thank you for following along.That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan for today. Thank you for following along.
My colleague Aamna Mohdin will be bringing you the latest for the next few hours.My colleague Aamna Mohdin will be bringing you the latest for the next few hours.
Britain has officially entered into recession after the coronavirus crisis sawthe economy contract by a record 20.4% between April and June, the Office forNational Statistics has said.
Jonathan Athow, deputy national statistician at the ONS, said: “The recession brought on by the coronavirus pandemic has led to the biggest fall in quarterly GDP on record, PA Media reports. “The economy began to bounce back in June with shops reopening, factories beginning to ramp up production and housebuilding continuing to recover.“Despite this, GDP in June still remains a sixth below its level in February, before the virus struck.“Overall, productivity saw its largest-ever fall in the second quarter. Hospitality was worst hit, with productivity in that industry falling by three-quarters in recent months.”
German Health Minister Jens Spahn on Wednesday said he was sceptical about Russia becoming the first country to grant regulatory approval to a Covid-19 vaccine, saying it was key to have a safe, tested product rather than just being first, Reuters reports. Russia’s vaccine, which will be called “Sputnik V” in homage to the world’s first satellite launched by the Soviet Union, has not yet completed its final trials. Its regulatory approval came after less than two months of human testing.“It’s not about being first somehow - it’s about having an effective, tested and therefore safe vaccine,” Spahn told Deutschlandfunk radio.“In order to have trust in such a vaccine, I think it is very, very important, even during a pandemic, to properly do studies, the relevant tests and especially to make them public. The problem is that we know very little about it as the Russian authorities are not being very transparent,” he said.
Hi, Helen Sullivan here. I recently wrote about being separated from my husband for five months by the pandemic.
Now, we’d like to hear from couples and other loved ones kept apart by border closures and flight palavers. If you would like to tell your story, my email address is helen.sullivan@theguardian.com – please do drop me a few lines explaining your own situation.
For context, here is the story mentioned above:
Melissa Davey, Matilda Boseley and Josh Taylor report for the Guardian:
Here is the full story on the Australian state of Victoria, which has recorded its highest overnight death toll from Covid-19, with 21 deaths and 410 new cases announced on Wednesday as the premier Daniel Andrews expressed concern about continued aged care cases and deaths, and a rise of cases in disability services, among health workers, and in regional areas.
Those who died ranged in age from their 70s to 100s, and of the deaths 16 were linked to aged care facilities. There are 662 Victorians in hospital and 43 of those are receiving intensive care, while 25 are on a ventilator. Meanwhile 476 aged care residents have been transferred from aged care to hospital as the state struggles to contain spread in the facilities:
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, 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.