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Coronavirus live news: New Zealand's biggest city back in lockdown; Paris marathon cancelled as cases rise Coronavirus live news: Auckland back in lockdown; Paris marathon cancelled as cases rise
(32 minutes later)
WHO warns displacement of people in Beirut risks accelerating spread; four new cases in Auckland; Australia suffers deadliest day France cancels marathon as cases pick up; WHO warns displacement of people in Beirut risks accelerating spread; four new cases in Auckland
Further restrictions have been imposed on people travelling to and from Spain.
Germany has added Madrid and the Basque Country to its blacklist of areas not to visit, along with Catalonia, Aragón and Navarra.
As of today, the northern Italian region of Emilio-Romagna is insisting on Covid-19 tests for anyone travelling from Spain, Greece and Malta.
The move follows spikes in infections in Madrid and the Basque Country, as well as Castilla-León in Spain’s northwest. Infection rates continue to be high in Aragón but are falling in the Barcelona region.
Mass testing has been carried out in some Catalan towns and is to be extended to parts of Barcelona at the weekend.
The average age of those testing positive is 40 and the overall positive rate in Catalonia is 8.63 per 100, considerably above the WHO’s recommended maximum of 5%.
Track and trace teams in the region say they are meeting resistance from people who have been in contact with infected individuals.
Some refuse to be tested while others won’t accept being quarantined after only being in contact with someone positive for 15 minutes. In the town of Ripollet, for example, 45 out of 193 people traced refused to be tested.
Meanwhile, in order to meet its targets, Madrid has privatised testing, and track and trace, paying the private medical company Quiron €194,000 for a three-month contract.
The UK’s de facto travel ban has effectively killed off British travel to Spain with the industry reporting an 80% drop in reservations right through until the end of the year.
France’s advice to avoid the region has also had a negative impact. Spain is to planning to retaliate with quarantine or other restrictive measures.
Vietnam’s prime minister has said the next 10 days will be critical in the country’s fight against Covid-19, which resurfaced late last month after three months of no domestic cases.
Vietnam was lauded for suppressing an earlier outbreak through aggressive testing, contact-tracing and quarantining, but it is now racing to control infections in multiple locations linked to the popular holiday city of Danang, where a new outbreak was detected on 25 July.
Prime minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said in a government statement:
Vietnam reported three new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, raising the number of cases in the country to 866, with 17 deaths. All fatalities stemmed from the new outbreak.
The majority of recent cases were in Danang, a town of 1.1 million, where broad social distancing measures and a city-wide lockdown were extended indefinitely on Tuesday.
A sports stadium converted into a 1,000-bed field hospital received its first Covid-19 patients on Wednesday, many of them from three urban hospitals at the centre of Danang’s outbreak.
Phuc characterised actions taken by the authorities to combat the current, third wave of infections as better than previous outbreaks.
People in Vietnam had also reacted more calmly, despite the sudden re-emergence of the virus, Phuc said.
He has previously said early August would be the decisive time within which to stop the virus spreading in Vietnam on a large scale.
This year’s Paris marathon has been cancelled, as France battles against a resurgence of the Covid-19 virus.This year’s Paris marathon has been cancelled, as France battles against a resurgence of the Covid-19 virus.
The marathon was originally due to take place on 5 April but had been postponed to 15 November because of the pandemic.The marathon was originally due to take place on 5 April but had been postponed to 15 November because of the pandemic.
Organisers said in a statement:Organisers said in a statement:
The Paris marathon, one of the most popular events on the global running calendar which routinely attracts over 40,000 participants, is the latest to be disrupted by the worldwide coronavirus outbreak.The Paris marathon, one of the most popular events on the global running calendar which routinely attracts over 40,000 participants, is the latest to be disrupted by the worldwide coronavirus outbreak.
In June, the New York City marathon was cancelled while the Boston marathon was also scrapped for the first time in its 124-year history.In June, the New York City marathon was cancelled while the Boston marathon was also scrapped for the first time in its 124-year history.
Marathon majors in Berlin and Chicago were also cancelled while the London marathon, originally set for April, was postponed to 4 October and will be run as an elite-only event.Marathon majors in Berlin and Chicago were also cancelled while the London marathon, originally set for April, was postponed to 4 October and will be run as an elite-only event.
France has reported over 236,000 infections and more than 30,000 deaths from Covid-19.France has reported over 236,000 infections and more than 30,000 deaths from Covid-19.
Within hours of posting a video to Facebook and Twitter in which she offered to donate iPads to K-12 Native students, Amanda Cheromiah was inundated with increasingly desperate requests.Within hours of posting a video to Facebook and Twitter in which she offered to donate iPads to K-12 Native students, Amanda Cheromiah was inundated with increasingly desperate requests.
This was back in March, as schools across the country started closing because of Covid-19.This was back in March, as schools across the country started closing because of Covid-19.
Cheromiah, a PhD student at the University of Arizona, had begun hearing stories of Native students parking outside gas stations to finish their homework or reading for class.Cheromiah, a PhD student at the University of Arizona, had begun hearing stories of Native students parking outside gas stations to finish their homework or reading for class.
It was there they could maybe get better cell reception, or wifi, or enough light when the power was out at home.It was there they could maybe get better cell reception, or wifi, or enough light when the power was out at home.
Unequal access to utilities – especially electricity – made remote learning nearly impossible on Native lands.Unequal access to utilities – especially electricity – made remote learning nearly impossible on Native lands.
Cheromiah, who leads a mentorship program for Native students, said that for many students it was “just not an option”. She mailed about a dozen iPads to students before realizing their need for more resources was too great.Cheromiah, who leads a mentorship program for Native students, said that for many students it was “just not an option”. She mailed about a dozen iPads to students before realizing their need for more resources was too great.
The pandemic has exacerbated already severe energy and economic inequalities in Indian country.The pandemic has exacerbated already severe energy and economic inequalities in Indian country.
For decades, many tribes have suffered from insufficient energy infrastructure, high costs, and a lack of funding for new projects. Low electricity rates are compounded by limited cell and broadband service on many reservations.For decades, many tribes have suffered from insufficient energy infrastructure, high costs, and a lack of funding for new projects. Low electricity rates are compounded by limited cell and broadband service on many reservations.
These needs have only gotten worse during the pandemic.These needs have only gotten worse during the pandemic.
Cases of Covid-19 in Florida were below 50,000 in May when Rebekah Jones, co-creator and manager of the state’s official coronavirus database, first claimed she was ordered to censor information to justify Governor Ron DeSantis’s ambitious reopening plans for the state.Cases of Covid-19 in Florida were below 50,000 in May when Rebekah Jones, co-creator and manager of the state’s official coronavirus database, first claimed she was ordered to censor information to justify Governor Ron DeSantis’s ambitious reopening plans for the state.
The retribution was as swift and brutal.The retribution was as swift and brutal.
Jones was fired for insubordination, and subjected to a vitriolic public character assassination by DeSantis, a Republican who is a close ally of Donald Trump, in the presence of Vice-President Mike Pence.Jones was fired for insubordination, and subjected to a vitriolic public character assassination by DeSantis, a Republican who is a close ally of Donald Trump, in the presence of Vice-President Mike Pence.
DeSantis questioned Jones’s qualifications and personality and aired demonstrably false statements about her private life.DeSantis questioned Jones’s qualifications and personality and aired demonstrably false statements about her private life.
To many observers, the governor’s strategy looked like a blatant attempt to intimidate and silence a troublesome data scientist obstructing the path to a speedy reopening. If so, it appears to have failed.To many observers, the governor’s strategy looked like a blatant attempt to intimidate and silence a troublesome data scientist obstructing the path to a speedy reopening. If so, it appears to have failed.
Not only was the reopening premature, with the pandemic still intensifying in Florida and this week surpassing half a million confirmed cases, but Jones continues to be a thorn in DeSantis’s side.Not only was the reopening premature, with the pandemic still intensifying in Florida and this week surpassing half a million confirmed cases, but Jones continues to be a thorn in DeSantis’s side.
Hi everyone, this is Jessica Murray taking over the coronavirus live blog for the next few hours.Hi everyone, this is Jessica Murray taking over the coronavirus live blog for the next few hours.
Please do get in touch with any suggestions or story tips.Please do get in touch with any suggestions or story tips.
Email: jessica.murray@theguardian.com Twitter: @journojess_Email: jessica.murray@theguardian.com Twitter: @journojess_
Hard times are here, says UK finance minister Rishi Sunak on the recessionHard times are here, says UK finance minister Rishi Sunak on the recession
Twice as bad as the US. Ten times worse than anything seen during the financial crash of the late 2000s. Worse than any EU country. The UK is planted firmly at the bottom of the Covid-19 developed country league table after the economy contracted by a fifth in the second quarter of 2020.Twice as bad as the US. Ten times worse than anything seen during the financial crash of the late 2000s. Worse than any EU country. The UK is planted firmly at the bottom of the Covid-19 developed country league table after the economy contracted by a fifth in the second quarter of 2020.
The reasons Britain is once again being dubbed by some “the sick man of Europe” are pretty clear. After weeks of dithering, the government imposed a stringent lockdown that was tougher and lasted for longer than elsewhere. Allowing the virus to spread to care homes meant the re-opening of bits of the economy was slow.The reasons Britain is once again being dubbed by some “the sick man of Europe” are pretty clear. After weeks of dithering, the government imposed a stringent lockdown that was tougher and lasted for longer than elsewhere. Allowing the virus to spread to care homes meant the re-opening of bits of the economy was slow.
Boris Johnson and his ministers can’t be blamed for the arrival of a global pandemic. What will be an issue at the inevitable inquiry into why Britain had more deaths and suffered a bigger hit to growth than its rivals is the extent to which government mistakes intensified the crisis.Boris Johnson and his ministers can’t be blamed for the arrival of a global pandemic. What will be an issue at the inevitable inquiry into why Britain had more deaths and suffered a bigger hit to growth than its rivals is the extent to which government mistakes intensified the crisis.
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows how the economy has evolved since the start of the year. Activity started to fall in the last 10 days of March before coming to a virtual halt in April. There was a modest pick-up of 2.4% in May followed by a more substantial 8.7% rise in June.The latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows how the economy has evolved since the start of the year. Activity started to fall in the last 10 days of March before coming to a virtual halt in April. There was a modest pick-up of 2.4% in May followed by a more substantial 8.7% rise in June.
This sounds impressive but as Samuel Tombs of Pantheon Macro pointed out, the level of gross domestic product – the official yardstick for gauging the size of the economy – was still 17.1% below its January peak by the end of June. There is an awful lot of ground to make up.This sounds impressive but as Samuel Tombs of Pantheon Macro pointed out, the level of gross domestic product – the official yardstick for gauging the size of the economy – was still 17.1% below its January peak by the end of June. There is an awful lot of ground to make up.
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.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.“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.“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.