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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 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
France will gradually ramp up police checks to ensure people wear face masks where it is mandatory and respect social distancing amidst a new surge of COVID-19 infections, the government’s spokesman said on Wednesday, Reuters reports.
“We’re at a tipping point (...) We’re going to mobilise polices forces to make checks,” Gabriel Attal told journalists while visiting the Mediterranean island of Corsica.
“But it’s not the police people should be afraid of (...) they should fear the virus, that lurks and contaminates,” he said.
Israel will examine Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine and enter negotiations to buy it if it is found to be a “serious product”, Israel’s health minister said, according to a report by Reuters.Israel will examine Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine and enter negotiations to buy it if it is found to be a “serious product”, Israel’s health minister said, according to a report by Reuters.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday his was the first country to grant regulatory approval to a COVID-19 vaccine, after less than two months of human testing. His health minister on Wednesday dismissed allegations that the vaccine was unsafe.Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday his was the first country to grant regulatory approval to a COVID-19 vaccine, after less than two months of human testing. His health minister on Wednesday dismissed allegations that the vaccine was unsafe.
Israeli Health Minister Yuli Edelstein told reporters:Israeli Health Minister Yuli Edelstein told reporters:
Singapore on Wednesday reported 42 new COVID-19 cases, its lowest daily count in about four and a half months, Reuters reports.Singapore on Wednesday reported 42 new COVID-19 cases, its lowest daily count in about four and a half months, Reuters reports.
The city-state went into a lockdown in mid-April after mass outbreaks in cramped migrant worker dormitories pushed its caseload to one of the highest in Asia.The city-state went into a lockdown in mid-April after mass outbreaks in cramped migrant worker dormitories pushed its caseload to one of the highest in Asia.
Meanwhile, Indonesia reported 1,942 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 130,718, data from the government’s health ministry website showed.Meanwhile, Indonesia reported 1,942 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 130,718, data from the government’s health ministry website showed.
The Southeast Asian country also added 79 new deaths, taking the total number to 5,903, the highest COVID-19 death toll in Southeast Asia.The Southeast Asian country also added 79 new deaths, taking the total number to 5,903, the highest COVID-19 death toll in Southeast Asia.
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.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.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.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.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.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.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.